HISTORr  OF   THE 

FIRST   DIVISION 


THE  COJVDVIMDER-IN-CHIEF  HAS  NOTED  IN  THIS  DIVISION 
A  SPECIAL  PRIDE  OF  SERVICE  AND  A  HIGH  STATE  OF  MORALE 
NEVER  BROKEN  BY  HARDSHIP  NOR  BATTLE.  l^OEi 


Columbia  UiiibcrsiftK 


LIBRARY 


Natljanipl  CEurrirr  iFuu& 

fnr  fljp 

inrrf aar  nf  tl|p  library 

?Eatablt8l?rb  ISOS 


CO.UMB,A  ---S-V  X-r^, 

provided  by  the  library  r  ^^^ 

i  ?;:  Librarian  in  charge.  _===== 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 
DURING   THE    WORLD    WAR.    1917-1919 


HISTORY  OF  THE 

FIRST  DIVISION 

DURING  /^e  WORLD  WAR 

1917  - 1919 


COMPILED    AND     PUBLISHED    BY 

THE  SOCIETY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 


"77z^  Commander-in-Chief  has  noted  in  this  Division 
a  special  pride  of  service  and  a  high  state  of  morale, 
never  broken  by  hardship  nor  battle.''  —  G.  0.  No. 
201,  A.  E.  F.,  November  ig,  igi8 


jfirst  E&itton 


PHILADELPHIA,     PA. 

THE   JOHN    C.   WINSTON    COMPANY 

1922 


»2i  '10  S  IS  - 

Copyright  1922,  by 
The  Society  of  the  First  Division 


t^/t 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Photographs ix 

Illustrations  ix 

Maps  xii 

Dedication xiii 

Foreword xv 

Introduction xvii 

Presentation  of  the  Illustrations xix 

Tribute xxi 

PART   I 

The  H)>ilortj 

CHAPTER  I.     Organization  and  Mobilization  of  the  Division       1 
The  Call  to  Arms — The  Voyage — On  French  Soil — Moliilization 
Completed — Ciondrecourt. 

CHAPTER  II.     Training— First    Period 19 

Preliminary  Instruction — The  Infantry — The  Machine  Gunners 
— Engineers — The  Signal  Troops — The  Trains — The  Field  Artil- 
lery—The Staff. 

Training — Second  Period 27 

The  Sommerviller  Sector. 

Training — Third  Period 35 

Training  of  the  Combinetl  Division — Christmas  in  France — 
Ready. 

CHAPTER  III.     The  Ansauville  Sector 42 

Entry  into  the  Sector — Life  in  the  Sector — Raids — ReUef  from 
the  Sector — The  Gisors  Area. 

CHAPTER  IV.     The  Cantigny  Sector 69 

The  March— The  Sector— The  Relief— The  Conduct  of  the 
Sector — Cantigny — The  Preparation — The  Assault— Picardy — 
Relief  from  the  Sector. 

CHAPTER  V.     Soissons 99 

The  Marne  Salient — The  First  Division  Advances — Preparation 
for  the  Attack— The  Eve  of  Battle— The  Battle— First  Day, 
July  18th— Second  Day,  July  19th— Third  Day,  July  20th— 
Fourth  Day,  July  21st— Fifth  Day,  July  22d— Sixth  Day, 
July  23d — Victory  and  Its  Price. 

(vii) 


viii  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

CHAPTER  VI.     The  Saizerais  Sector 143 

Movement  to  the  Sector — The  Sector — Life  in  the  Sector. 

CHAPTER  Vn.    Vaucouleurs 149 

The  Area — Training. 

CHAPTER  VHI.     The  Reduction  of  the  St.  Mihiel  Salient.  .    l.")2 
Tlie  Salient— The  Plan  of  Attack— The  First  Division's  Zone  of 
Action — The  Preparation  for  the  Attack — The  Battle. 

CHAPTER  IX.     The  Meuse-Argonne    Offensive 172 

The  Theater  of  Operations — The  Division  in  Reserve — The 
Division  Enters  the  Line — The  Mission — The  Terrain — Tlie 
Preparation — The  Battle — First  Day,  October  4th — Second 
Day,  October  5th— Third  Day,  October  6th— Fourth  Day,  Octo- 
ber 7th— Fifth  Day,  October  8th— Sixth  Day,  October  9tii — 
Seventh  Day,  Octol)er  10th— Eighth  Day,  October  11th— The 
Recall — Summary  of  the  Battle. 

CHAPTER  X.     The  First  Division  Resumes  the  Battle 217 

In  the  Rest  Area — Operations  of  the  First  Field  Artillery  Brigade 
— The  First  Division  in  Corps  Reserve — The  First  Division  Again 
Enters  the  Line — Sedan,  the  Goal. 

CHAPTER  XL     The  Fruits  of  Victory 237 

The  Armistice — The  March  to  the  Rhine— The  Bridgehead— Life 
in  the  Bridgehead — Homeward  Bound — America's  (ireeting. 

RETROSPECT 263 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT 265 

PART   II 
THE  HON<  )\\    ROLL 271 

PART  111 
COMMENDATIONS  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 341 

PART  IV 
FIELD   ORDERS 389 

PART  V 
]y[APS In  Separate  ( 'onlniner 


PHOTOGRAPHS 

PAGE 

General  John  J.  Pershing 3 

Marshal  Foch 15 

Major  General  William  L.  Sibert 33 

Lieutenant  General  Robert  L.  Bullartl 37 

General  Debeney 53 

Marshal  Petain 89 

Major  General  Gharles  P.  Smnmerall 109 

Brigadier  Cieneral  Frank  Parker 239 

Major  General  Edward  F.  McGlachlin,  .Ir 257 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

INSERTS 
Colored  Plates 

The  First  Victorious  Crusade    Frontispiece 

The  Gold  Star Facing  Dedication,  p.  xiii 

Insignia  of  the  AUies Facing  Tribute,  p.   xxi 

Winter — Seicheprey Facing  p.    49 

Spring — Cantigny Facing  p.    69 

Summer — Soissons Facing  p.    99 

Autumn — Argonne Facing  p.  177 

The  Chosen  Corps Facing  p.  269 


Regimental  Photographs 
General  Staff,  First  Division 


Headquarters  Troop  and  Military  Police. 
First  Division  Trains 


16th  Infantry 

18th  Infantry 

1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion . 

26th  Infantry 

28th  Infantry 

2d  Macliine  Gun  Battalion . 


3d  Machine  Gun  Battalion . 

1st  Engineers 

2d  Field  Signal  Battalion . . 

5th  Field  Artillery 

6th  Field  Artillery 

7th  Field  Artillery 


After  p.  64 
After  p.  96 
After  p.  128 
After  p.  160 
After  p.  208 


(ix) 


ILLUSTRATIONS   IN    TEXT 

PAGE 

Instruction  days  in  handling  "trench  mortar" 23 

Artillery  receiving  instruction  in  handling  French  75-mm.  guns 23 

Troops  on  practice  march  in  snow,  near  (londrecourt,  France,  Decem- 
ber, 1917 29 

A  75-mni.  gun  with  which  Battery  C,  6th  F.  A.,  fired  the  firet  American 

shot  at  ().05  A.  M.,  Octoljer  23,  1917 29 

Position  of  7lh  F.  A.  along  BeaunK)nt  road,  France,  Febraary  2(5,  1918     45 
First  Division  "dough  lioy"  in  trenches,  Ansauville  Sector,  France.  .     45 

Machine  gun  at  Villers-Tournelle  firing  at  Gennan  aeroplanes 50 

Reading  the  welcome  letter  f loni  home  at  entrance  to  dug-out 50 

General  Pershing  addressing  officers  of  First  Division  l)cfore  they  leave 

for  the  attack,  Ghaumont-cn-\'exin,  France,  April,  1918 60 

Entrance  to  P.  C.  16th  Infantry  blocked  by  bursting  shell,  Broyes, 

France,  May  2,  1918 60 

A  French  flame-thrower  l)urning  out  a  German  dug-out,  Cantigny, 

May  28,  1918 73 

A   French   soldier,    carrying   a   flame-thrower,    waiting   for   German 

prisoner  to  come  out  from  dug-out,  Cantigny,  May  28,  1918.  ...     73 
The  first  wave  of  28th  Infantry  jumping  off  in  attack  on  Cantigny, 

May  28,  1918 73 

The  28th  Infantry,  in  squad  column  formation,  advancing  on  Cantigny, 

May  28,  1918 73 

The  28th  Infantry  advancing,  with  French  tanks,  on  Cantigny,  France, 

May  28,  1918 81 

Machine  gun  in  shell  hole  in  No-Man's-Land 81 

Military  police  bringing  German  prisoners  captured  by  First  Division 

drive 94 

German  prisoners  and  machine  gim  captin-ed  by  men  of  the  28th 

Infantry  at  Lahayville,  France 94 

Members  of  Aml)ulance  Co.  No.   12  rendering  first  aid  at  dressing 

station  at  Lahayville,  France 101 

Gassed   patients   of   First   Division,    with   eyes   bandaged,    at   Field 

Hospital  No.  13,  near  Caply,  France 101 

Camouflaged  position  of  7th  Field  Artillery  near  ISIesnil  St.  Firmin, 

France,  July  5,  1918 106 

6th  Field  Artillery  placing  gun  in  position  after  advance,  Mi^sy-aux- 

Bois,  France,  July,  1918 106 

16th  Infantry  (figging  in  near  Chaudun,  France,  July  19,  1918 116 

7th  Field  Arliilery  in  action  at  Soi.ssons,  France,  July  19,  1918 116 

Advance  of  16th  Infantry  near  Dormiers,  France,  July,  1918,  showing 

location  of  German  trench  mortar  that  was  captured 1 16 

26th  Infantry  in  fox-holes  near  Paris-Soissons  road,  France,  July  19, 

1918 119 

(x) 


PAG  E 

Ibtli  Infantry  crossing  barbed  wire  in  advance  on  Soissons,  France, 

July  18,1918 119 

Battery  of  5th   Field  Artillery  taking  up  advanced   position,   near 

Floysey,  France,  July  20,  1918 125 

Wounded  First  Division  men  being  cared  foi-  by  sanitary  train  in  an 

old  church  at  Neuville,  France 125 

Machine    gunners.    First    Division,    passing    through    St.    Baussant, 

France,  in  advance  on  St.  Mihiel  front,  September  13,  1918 130 

View   from   Mont   Sec,    showing    annnunition    dump    burning   from 

explosion  of  German  shell 130 

Men   of    18th   Infantry   running   across   road   at   Exermont,    France, 

while  town  is  being  shelled.  Dead  German  lying  on  ground .  .  148 
7th  Field  Artillery,  First  Division,  rename  street  at  Nonsard,  France, 

in  honor  of  President  Wilson,  September  13,  1918 148 

6th  Field  Artillery  taking  up  position  in  front  of  Mont  Sec,  France .  .  155 
The  rear  elements  in  an  attack — supplies,  ammunition,  machine  guns, 

food — all  moving  forward  in  the  St.  Mihiel  Salient,  France 155 

Machine   gunners  in   action   on   Hill   240,    near  Exermont,   France, 

October  5,  1918 166 

Signal  troops  establishing  radio  and  phone  communications  at  Exer- 
mont, France 166 

18th  Infantry  holed  in  on  side  of  Hill  240,  Exermont,  OctoVicr  11,  1918  179 
Observation  post  on  Hill  240,  near  Exermont,  France,  October  7,  1918  179 
First  Division  men  encamped  on  hillside  behind  ruins  of  Cheppy, 

France,  October  1,  1918 188 

28th  Infantry  entering  Germany  at  Wormeldingen,  November  30,  1918  188 
7th  Field  Artillery  crossing  Moselle  River  on  ferry  boat  at  Ruinen 

Bcilstein,  Germany,  December  8,  1918 197 

18th  Infantry  crossing  Moselle  River  at  Gravcnmacher,  Germany. . . .  197 
Aeroplane  view  of  military  pontoon  bridge  across  the  Rhine  River  at 

Honningen,  fiermany,  built  by  1st  Engineers,  First  Division.  .  .  .  220 
First  Division  soldier  keeping  "Watch  on  the  Rhine"  at  Coblentz, 

Germany,  December,  1918 220 

The  Lorraine  Monument 225 

A  First  Division  soldier  on  guard  in  a  famous  castle,  the  ancestral 

home  of  the  von  Walderdees,  where  the  former  Kaiser  frequently 

visited,  Molslierg,  Germany 242 

First  Division  crossing  the  Rhine  River  on  German  military  pontoon 

bridge,  December,  1918 246 

The  16th  Infantry  passing  through  victory  arch,  New  York  City.  .  .  .    246 

A  First  Division  Monmnent 249 

The  five  battle  monuments  erected  at  Cantigny,  Soissons,  St.  Mihiel, 

the  Argonne  and  Sedan 252 

(xi) 


PAGE 

Artillery  of  First  Division  in  jjarade  at  Washington,  D.  C,  September 

17,  1919 ' 254 

Infantry  of  First  Division  in  parade  at  Washington,  D.  C,  September 

17,  1919 262 


MAPS 

I.  Gondrecourt  Area;  Conde-en-Barrois  Area;  V'aucouleurs  Area. 

II.  Sonmicrviller  Sector. 

III.  Ansauville  Sector. 

IV.  Cantigny  Operation. 

V.  Chaimiont-en-Vexin  Area;  the  Marne  Salient. 

VI.  Soissons  Operation. 

VII.  Saizerais  Sector. 

VIII.  St.  Mihiel  Operation. 

IX.  Meuse-Argonne  OfTensive. 

X.  Sedan  Operation. 

XI.  Barrage  Chart. 

XII.  Coblentz  Bridgehead. 


(xii) 


To  The 
Deathless  Memory 

OF 

Our  Dead 

who,  coming  from  every 
part  of  our  land,  answered 

THEIR  country's  CALL;     WHO   DID   NOT 
SHRINK   WHEN   DEATH   AWAITED,    BUT,    WITH 
SUBLIME   COURAGE,   ADVANCED   WITH   UNFALTERING 
STEPS   AGAINST   THE    ENEMy's    MOST    WITHERING    FIRE,    OR 
STOOD     WITH     UNSHAKEN     VALOR     AGAINST     HIS     MURDEROUS 
ONSLAUGHTS;    WHO  MARKED  WITH  THEIR  BODIES  IN  A  LAST 
BIVOUAC     THE     BATTLE-LINES     OF     THE     DIVISION 
THEY     LOVED,     OR     WHO     PERISHED     ON     BEDS 
OF    PAIN    FROM    WOUNDS    AND     DISEASE; 
AND     WHO    SLEEP    IN     SHRINES    OF 
EVERLASTING        HONOR 
AND     INSPIRATION; 
THIS       BOOK      IS 
DEDICATED 
BY 
THEIR  COMRADES 


( xiii ) 


FOREWORD 


AMERICAN    EXPEDITIONARY    FORCES 
OFFICE    OF   THE   CO  M  M  A  N  DER- I  N    C  H  I  EF 


-ol<jLn^    ^->-<-      (Si^t^rr-tryz.c^  ^   ^:i.^t<^  /y^y-^  /xx*-<^^ 
'77±A*,^a.,.i<-^ipC    <^!>-^^^^^    ^CJ^C^:z£^  -^^  /^  ''^jf  ~ 


(XV) 


/*7^i^Ti^-a^ 


t^<  ^-^ 


(xvi) 


INTRODUCTION 

In  the  following  pages,  it  is  intended  to  record  briefly 
some  of  the  accomplishments  of  the  First  Division  in  the 
World  War.  History  cannot  be  written  until  the  perspective 
of  time  unfolds  to  our  vision  the  true  relationship  of  events. 
It  is  proper,  however,  that  those  who  participated  in  the 
stirring  deeds  of  the  Division,  and  those  who  were  interested 
in  its  fortunes,  should  have  the  story  of  its  life  and  progress. 
Our  people  should  know  something  of  the  heroic  self-sacrifice, 
of  the  spiritual  exaltation  and  of  the  sublime  courage  that  lived 
in  and  enriched  the  souls  of  the  men  whom  they  sent  to  battle. 
Thousands  laid  down  their  lives,  thousands  suffered  wounds, 
all  endured  pain,  hardship  and  privation.  Their  victories 
were  bought  with  a  price  that  can  never  be  repaid.  Their 
deeds  portraj^  the  great  heart  of  America  and  they  will  inspire 
generations  yet  to  come  in  whatever  hours  of  trial  may  await 
our  beloved  land. 

As  if  shaped  by  destiny,  the  Division  grew  from  strength 
to  strength  and  became  a  great  instrumentality  for  victory 
and  for  the  triumph  of  the  ideals  that  lived  in  the  soul  of  our 
country.  It  never  complained;  it  never  criticized  others; 
it  never  asked  to  be  relieved;  it  was  never  shot  to  pieces; 
it  was  never  held  up  by  machine  gun  fire;  it  was  never  tired. 
Our  readers  will  be  constantly  in  the  presence  of  strong  men 
whose  selfless  devotion  to  their  missions  was  manifest  in  their 
every  act.  Neither  the  writers  nor  their  words  can  ade- 
quately depict  the  adventure,  the  tense  days  and  nights  of 
battle,  the  fortitude  and  courage  of  those  who  bore  the  strife, 
or  the  modest  demeanor  in  the  hour  of  triumph  of  the  officers 
and  men  who  made  the  History  of  the  First  Division. 

The  Society  of  the  First  Division 

Camp  Dix,  New  Jersey 
June  30,  1921 


( xvii ) 


PRESENTATION   OF   THE    ILLUSTRATIONS 

TO 

The  Men  of  the  First  Division 

BOTH 

The  Living  and  the  Dead 

Who  Are  the  Justification  for 

Hero-Worship 

And  Who  Have  Made  the  Ideals   of 

Fraternity 

A  Living  Standard 

These  Illustrations  Are  Presented 

BY 

Their  Comrade-in-Arms 

If,  when  you  see  these  pictures,  you  find  there, 

Beyond  defects  and  crudities,  the  flare 

Of  infinite  desire,  know  this  truth: 

The  one  who  made  them  has  seen  glowing  youth 

And  flaming  manhood  of  a  nobler  race 

Than  dreamers  dream  of,  hail  him  face  to  face 

As  comrade! — those  who  sowed  the  seed 

Of  fearless  valor,  grown  now  to  a  creed 

By  which  we  live,  aspiring  souls,  still  led 

By  living  heroes  and  our  Hero-Dead. 

Sleep,  Hearts  of  Gold,  beneath  French  skies  of  blue — 
Brave  hearts  we  knew  of  old,  trench-tried  and  true. 
God  grant  I  serve  you  still,  with  brush  or  pen — 
God  bless  and  keep  you  till  we  meet  again ! 

— Sehg't  Glidden 


(xix) 


TRIBUTE 

It  is  at  once  a  duty  and  a  deep  pleasure  for  the  First 
Division  to  place  upon  the  opening  pages  of  its  History  a 
tribute  to  those  comrades  of  the  French  Army  whose  co- 
operation was  so  powerful  a  factor  in  its  successful  training 
and  subsequent  combat  record.  As,  in  the  past,  they  served 
with  us  throughout  our  training  and  campaigns,  giving,  in 
full  measure,  the  fruits  of  their  own  instruction  and  experi- 
ence, and  the  loyal  efforts  of  head,  heart  and  hand,  so  it  is 
fitting  that,  in  the  future,  this  History  should  guard  forever, 
in  Honor  and  Affection,  the  memory  of  these  worthy  repre- 
sentatives of  the  heroic  Army  of  France. 

It  is  also  proper  that  acknowledgment  should  here  be 
made  of  the  assistance  received  from  the  British  Forces. 
They  afforded  an  inspii'ing  example  of  the  finest  fighting 
spirit,  and  they  will  ever  be  remembered  with  sentiments  of 
goodwill.  The  ties  that  were  bound  in  the  training  areas  and 
on  the  field  of  battle  will  not  fail  to  foster  the  spirit  of  brother- 
hood that  should  exist  between  our  peoples. 

While  our  associations  were  the  most  intimate  with  the 
Armies  of  France  and  Great  Britain,  our  sympathies  were 
unalterably  bound  to  all  their  Alhes,  who,  in  their  own  spheres 
of  action,  contributed  to  the  triumph  of  civilization. 

To  our  sister  American  Divisions,  Organizations  and 
Services  we  offer  a  tribute  of  appreciation  and  admiration. 
Gallantly  and  faithfully  they  bore  their  hardships  and  losses. 
We  were  honored  to  share  their  battles  and  proud  to  herald 

(xxi) 


xxii  TRIBUTE 

tlu'ir  victtn-ies,  and  wc  shall  ever  meet   and  greet  them  as 
comrades  and  brothers. 

Conspicuous  in  its  merits  was  the  great  Service  of  Supply, 
which  achieved  victories  no  less  signal  than  those  of  the  combat 
divisions  and  which  deserves  to  occupy  in  history  a  page  no  less 
glorious  than  that  of  the  battle-line. 

Nor  can  we  withhold  an  expression  of  gratitude  to  the 
High  Commands  and  Staffs,  who  encouraged  us  by  their 
approval  and  who  guided  us  in  the  way  to  victory  by  their 
wisdom  and  by  their  strength. 

The  unparalleled  feat  of  the  Navy  of  our  Country  in 
transporting  our  Army  in  defiance  of  the  enemy's  ruthless 
submarines,  challenges  our  jiraise  and  admiration  as  well  as 
our  gratitude. 

Lastly,  we  yield  to  the  God  of  Battles  the  glory  and  the 
praise  for  the  triumph  of  our  arms  and  the  blessing  of  peace 
to  our  land. 


PART  I 
THE  HISTORY 


CHAPTER  I 

ORGANIZATION  AND  MOBILIZATION  OF  THE  DIVISION 

The  Call  to  Arms. — The  United  States  declared  war  on 
Germany  on  April  6,  1917.  A  short  time  afterward  a  French 
Mission  headed  bj^  Marshal  Joffre  arrived  in  America  and 
urged  that  a  military  force  be  sent  to  France  without  delay. 
Accordingly,  the  units  composing  an  Infantry  Division  under 
the  Provisional  Tables  of  Organization,  1917,  were  selected 
by  General  Pershing,  as  far  as  they  could  be  provided  from 
the  Regular  Army,  and  prepared  for  shipment  overseas.  The 
force  was  designated  as  the  First  E.xpeditionary  Division, 
with  Headquarters  in  New  York  City.  As  eventually  consti- 
tuted, the  First  Division  was  composed  of  the  following  units: 

Division  Headquarters. 
Headquarters  Troop. 
1st  Infantry  Brigade: 

16tii  Infantry;   18th  Infantry;   2d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 
2d  Infantry  Brigade: 

26th  Infantry;   28th  Infantry;   3d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 
1st  Field  Ai-tillery  Brigade: 

5th  Field  Artillery  (155  mm.  howitzers) ;  6th  Field  Ai-tillery  (75  mm. 
guns);    7th  Field  Artillery  (75  nmi.  guns);    1st  Trench  Mortar 
Battery. 
1st  Regiment  Engineers. 
1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 
2d  Field  Signal  Battalion. 
Trains: 

Headquarters  Trains,  First  Division. 

1st  Company  Military  Police,  2d  Company  Military  Police. 

1st  Ammunition  Train. 

1st  Mobile  Ordnance  Repair  Shop. 

1st  Supply  Train. 

1st  Engineer  Train. 

1st  Sanitary  Train. 

2d,  3d,  12th  and  13th  Ambulance  Companies. 

2d,  3d,  12th  and  13th  Field  Hospitals. 
Permanently  attached  units: 

Machine  Shop  Truck  Units  Nos.  2  and  301. 


2  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DRISION 

Mo})ile  Siirjiical  Unit  No.  2. 
Sales  Commissary  Unit  No.  309. 
Bakery  Unit  No.  314. 
Clothing  and  Bath  Unit  No.  319. 
Pack  Train  No.  10. 

The  troops  assigned  to  the  first  contingent  consisted  of 
the  16th  Infantrj'  from  Fort  Bliss,  Texas;  the  18th  Infantry 
from  Douglas,  Arizona;  the  26th  Infantry  from  San  Benito, 
Texas;  the  28th  Infantry  from  Fort  Ringgold,  Texas;  Field 
Hospital  No.  13  and  Ambulance  Company  No.  13  (then  No.  6) 
from  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas;  and  Company  C,  2d  Field 
Signal  Battalion,  from  Brownsville,  Texas.  All  had  seen  much 
field  service  during  the  Mexican  disturbances  and  were  in  a 
high  state  of  efficiency.  They  were  filled  to  war  strength  by 
recruits  who  had  voluntarily  enlisted  shortly  after  the  declara- 
tion of  war.  On  June  3d,  the  journey  commenced  to  Hoboken, 
the  port  of  embarkation.  Every  effort  was  made  to  keep  the 
movement  secret,  but  the  people  along  the  route  guessed  the 
destination  and  cheered  the  soldiers  as  they  passed.  The  men 
were  in  a  state  of  high  enthusiasm  and  were  proud  of  the  dis- 
tinction that  came  to  their  regiments  by  being  selected  in 
recognition  of  their  efficiency.  Already  there  existed  a  fine 
morale  that  was  a  great  asset  to  the  Division.  Their  thoughts 
were  of  crossing  the  sea  and  doing  their  part  in  the  war.  In 
their  imagination,  adventure  and  great  deeds  lay  before  them 
and  the  present  was  relatively'  unimportant.  Partings  were 
not  sad  for  them  because  aU  expected  to  return,  and  they  were 
most  concerned  in  consoling  those  dear  ones  who  were  left 
behind,  and  who  were  less  optimistic,  though  no  less  brave, 
than  the  men  whom  they  were  giving  to  their  country. 

The  following  tribute  to  the  First  Division  from  the 
Chicago  Tribune  of  June  9,  1917,  was  so  prophetic  as  to  deserve 
a  place  in  the  annals  of  the  command: 

Hail  and  Farewell 

Pershing  is  in  England  and  the  American  flag  is  drawing  nearer  the 
hot  pit  of  hell  in  France.  Events  have  made  beggary  of  the  imagination 
and  have  filled  American  prospects  with  promises  and  threats  which  could 
not  have  entered  the  comprehension  even  a  year  ago.    This  is  the  greatest 


GENERAL  JOHN  J.   PERSHING 
Commander-in-Chief  and  the  real  inspiration  of  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces 


ORGANIZATION   AND   MOBILIZATION  5 

flight  the  American  eagle  ever  made,  flying  over  the  heads  of  American 
soldiers — greater  than  the  flight  to  the  Philippines  and  to  China — greater 
in  its  significance  and  in  its  certainty  of  sacrifice. 

The  men  who  will  follow  Pershing  over  sea  and  into  battle  will  carry 
the  severest  test  it  ever  has  had,  a  severer  test  than  even  it  met  at  Gettys- 
burg, but,  we  trust — we  know — to  the  triumph  it  had  at  Appomattox. 
These  soldiers  are  the  first  offerings  of  the  American  nation  to  a  cause  which 
we  have  made  ours,  in  a  struggle  which  we  might  have  avoided 
by  compromise  of  self-respect,  honor,  and  highest  interest.  They 
are  the  first  of  this  generation's  sacrifices  for  the  next,  the  first 
pledges  of  honor.  They  are  the  videttes  of  a  great  army.  When  they 
take  their  stand  in  France  and  look  towards  Germany  it  will  be  as 
if  a  few  horsemen  had  come  up  on  the  crest  of  a  hill,  visible  to  the  enemy 
as  the  forerunners  of  great  hosts  far  in  the  distance,  there  unseen  and 
unheard,  but  coming.  Pershing's  men  to  the  Germans  are  these  fore- 
runners of  a  new  enemy.  They  appear  at  the  top  of  the  hill,  few  in  num- 
bers, not  tangibly  menacing,  but  terribly  suggestive.  It  is  not  what  they 
can  do  which  will  be  significant.  It  is  what  they  mean,  what  they  promise, 
and  what  they  threaten.  In  numbers  they  are  less  than  Gen.  French's 
"miserable  little  army."  But  Germany  has  met  the  great  armies  which 
followed  those  British  troops.  The  miserable  little  army  was  sacrificed, 
but  the  ground  where  the  men  died  will,  we  think,  see  other  British  soldiers, 
and  the  German  mind  may  comprehend  that  millions,  if  needed,  carrying 
the  same  flag  that  Pershing  takes  to  France,  will  see  the  grovmd  where  his 
men  die.  It  is  with  an  unashamed  emotion  that  we  think  of  Pershing's 
men.  They  are  our  first  sacriflces.  The  regular  soldier — the  confession 
now  humiliates  the  nation — has  never  been  close  to  the  affections  of  the 
American  people.  He  has  been  respected  for  efficiency  and  used.  He  has 
done  his  work  well,  and,  we  believe,  cheerfully.  But  there  has  been  no 
fondness  in  the  nation  for  him. 

Now  it  would  be  a  dull  and  crabbed  nature  which  could  contemplate 
without  emotion  the  picture  of  this  exjjedition.  It  is  the  last  expedition 
for  most  of  them.  The  duty  which  they  undertake  will  take  them.  It  is 
in  a  real  sense  a  sacrifice  which  should  be  close  to  the  heart  of  the  American 
people.  It  is  to  stimulate  them  to  comprehension  and  reahzation  and  to 
nerve  them  to  action.  Pershing's  casualty  lists  will  be  the  fii'st  rap  of  the 
hand  of  fate  on  the  American  door,  and  fate  will  come  later  with  equal  foot 
to  the  door  of  the  rich  and  the  door  of  the  poor. 

These  soldiers  are  the  consecration  of  America  to  a  cause,  its  pledge 
of  duty,  its  token  of  good  faith  and  determination,  of  fortitude,  resolve, 
and  courage.  There  are  Englishmen  who  cannot  control  themselves  to 
speak  of  the  lost  expeditionary  force.  There  will  be  Americans  who  will 
not  be  ashamed  to  demonstrate  their  emotion  over  the  first  sacrifice. 
Pershing's  men  will  go  silently  and  the  nation  will  have  no  opportunity 
for  demonstration.     But  there  are  roses  in  their  rifles  just  the  same. 


6  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

When  the  troops  approached  Hoboken  June  8th  and  9th, 
they  were  stopped  outside  the  city  to  wait  for  night.  Under 
cover  of  darkness  they  were  marched  through  unfrequented 
streets  to  the  piers.  By  dayUght,  June  10th,  all  were  aboard 
the  transports,  which  promptly  cast  off  and  dropped  down  to 
the  anchorage  in  the  lower  bay.  They  were  destined,  however, 
to  wait  for  several  days  in  New  York  Harbor.  In  the  mean- 
time they  accustomed  themselves  to  the  routine  of  life  on 
board  ship  and  learned  the  precautions  for  safety  and  the 
drill  for  abandoning  the  ship  in  case  of  disaster.  At  last,  on 
the  morning  of  June  14th,  anchors  were  weighed  and  the  ships 
steamed  for  the  open  sea  amid  cheers  from  all  on  board. 

The  Voyage. — The  convoys  consisted  of  twelve  ships 
organized  into  groups  of  four  each.  The  cruiser  "Seattle" 
led  the  first  convoy  and  four  destroyers  fell  into  position  to 
protect  the  flanks.  Each  succeeding  group  convoy  was  escorted 
in  the  same  manner  by  a  cruiser  and  four  or  five  destroyers. 
As  this  was  the  first  experiment  in  crossing  the  submarine- 
infested  seas,  there  was  much  anxiety  at  home  and  every  pre- 
caution was  taken  in  the  conduct  of  the  fleet.  The  voyage, 
however,  was  without  mishap  of  any  kind.  Dail}-,  rumoi'S 
spread  that  submarines  were  near,  but  no  one  saw  them.  The 
gun  crews  practiced  at  imaginary  targets  and  the  soldiers 
enjoyed  speculating  as  to  the  gunners'  skill.  The  days  were 
occupied  with  such  physical  exercises  as  were  practicable  to 
keep  the  men  in  a  healthy  condition  and  with  the  routine 
which  prevents  life  on  board  a  transport  from  becoming 
monotonous.  During  the  last  three  days  the  escort  was 
increased  by  the  destroyers  that  conducted  the  convo}-  across 
the  submarine  zone.  On  the  twelfth  day,  the  shores  of  France 
were  seen  by  the  first  convoy,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to 
describe  the  emotions  of  the  little  army.  Cheers  broke  forth 
and  enthusiasm  rose  with  the  realization  that  the  voyage  was 
approaching  a  safe  end.  St.  Nazaire  had  been  selected  as  the 
port  of  debarkation,  and  here  the  16th  Infantry  and  the  28th 
Infantry  landed  on  June  26th.  Company  K,  28th  Infantry, 
had  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  organization  to  set  foot 
on  French  soil.    The  facilities  for  landing  were  inadequate  and 


ORGANIZATION   AND   MOBILIZATION  7 

the  26th  Infantry  waited  until  June  27th  before  their  turn 
came  to  go  ashore.  On  the  following  day,  the  men  of  Field 
Hospital  No.  13  and  Ambulance  Company  No.  13  had  the 
joy  of  stretching  their  legs  on  land.  The  18th  Infantry  and 
Company  C,  2d  Field  Signal  Battahon,  did  not  leave  the  ships 
luitil  June  30th,  twenty  days  after  embarkation.  Thus  at 
the  close  of  June,  1917,  four  American  regiments  with  some 
special  troops  had  landed  on  the  soil  of  France,  as  the  vanguard 
of  a  mighty  host  of  over  two  millions  and  of  the  greatest  Army 
that  had  ever  dared  the  hazards  of  the  treacherous  lanes  of 
the  high  seas. 

On  French  Soil. — The  first  ships  to  dock  were  received 
by  the  people  in  silence  and  the  absence  of  any  greeting  sur- 
prised the  troops.  Later,  however,  great  enthusiasm  prevailed 
in  the  little  French  port  at  the  sight  of  the  strange  visitors. 
The  troops  were  welcomed  by  the  populace  of  the  town,  and 
while  the  French  bands  played  the  stirring  music  of  France, 
the  American  bands  responded  with  the  national  air.  The 
Mayor  issued  a  proclamation  in  which  he  extended  to  the 
Americans  the  hospitality  of  France  and  expressed  his  country's 
gratitude  for  the  help  and  the  hope  that  they  were  bringing. 
The  regiments  at  once  marched  to  Camp  No.  1,  which  was 
situated  about  three  miles  from  the  town.  Here,  barracks 
had  been  hastily  constructed  by  German  prisoners  of  war, 
but  the  buildings  were  inadequate.  None  of  the  comforts  and 
conveniences  that  later  divisions  found  at  St.  Nazaire  or 
experienced  in  the  modern  camps  in  the  homeland  existed  for 
this  pioneer  band  of  American  soldiers. 

As  soon  as  the  camp  was  in  order,  the  men  began  their 
first  training  on  French  soil.  Especial  attention  was  given  to 
marching  with  full  packs  and  to  physical  exercises  for  condi- 
tioning the  men  after  the  long  confinement  aboard  ship. 
Although  the  weather  was  warm,  the  military  custom  of 
wearing  the  coat  buttoned  throughout  was  adopted.  Neatness 
of  dress  and  soldierly  deportment  were  especially  emphasized, 
as  the  American  soldier  would  undoubtedly  be  judged  in  this 
strange  land  by  these  first  arrivals. 

The  French  people  desired  to  manifest  their  joy  and  grati- 


8  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

tude  over  the  entrance  of  the  United  States  into  the  war  by 
a  great  celebration  in  Paris  on  July  4th.  For  days  in  advance, 
the  city  was  gaily  decorated  and  the  people  gathered  in  large 
numbers  for  the  fete.  The  2d  BattaUon  of  the  16th  Infantry 
was  selected  to  represent  the  American  Army  in  the  parade. 
In  this  battalion,  Paris  was  to  see  the  first  evidence  of  America's 
determination  to  return  with  interest  the  friendship  and  sup- 
port that  France  had  given  to  the  American  colonies  in  their 
hour  of  need  when  they  fought  for  their  liberty.  Along  the 
historic  Champs  Elysees,  the  battalion  marched  calmly  and 
proudly,  being  conscious  of  its  serious  mission,  and  receiving 
a  continuous  ovation  from  the  wildl}^  enthusiastic  crowds  that 
lined  the  famous  boulevard.  All  Paris  exulted  as  it  gazed  on 
these  first  splendid  offerings  of  American  manhood  to  the  sacri- 
fice of  a  war  that  had  brought  so  much  suffering  to  France. 
Alas,  many  of  them  were  destined  to  sleep  in  the  land  that 
they  redeemed  by  their  blood.  Marshal  Joffre,  the  idol  of 
France's  heroic  Armies,  stood  beside  the  President  of  the 
Republic  and  reviewed  the  battalion.  In  this  virile  manhood 
from  the  young  nation  across  the  seas,  the  French  people 
visualized  a  new  inspiration,  a  new  hope  and  a  new  determi- 
nation to  win.  The  march  ended  at  Lafayette's  tomb.  Here, 
young  and  vital  America  with  General  Pershing  as  her  voice, 
gathered  around  the  shrine  of  America's  beloved  friend,  saluted 
the  spirit  of  Lafayette  and  reported  for  duty  in  those  thrilling 
words:   "Lafayette,  we  are  here." 

But  the  soldiers  had  gone  to  France  for  sterner  work  than 
parades  and  the  pleasures  of  the  beautiful  capital.  There 
was  no  time  to  lose,  and  on  July  5th  the  battalion  entrained 
for  the  Gondrecourt  Area  to  begin  the  apprenticeship  in  the 
art  of  defeating  the  enemy  by  the  most  approved  metliods. 
A  few  days  later,  the  other  elements  of  the  Division  left  St. 
Nazaire  for  the  same  destination.  On  this  journey,  the  men 
had  their  first  experience  in  the  never-to-be-forgotten  French 
box-cars  which  composed  the  miUtary  trains.  These  "Che- 
vaux-8,  Hommes-40"  cars  were  in  strong  contrast  to  the 
sleepers  in  which  the  troops  had  ridden  from  Texas  to  Hoboken. 
In  them,  the  men  traveled  along  the  Loire  Valley  and  across 


ORGANIZATION   AND   MOBILIZATION  9 

the  heart  of  France  for  two  days  and  nights.  Field  Hospital 
No.  13  and  Ambulance  Company  No.  13  made  the  trip  by 
road  in  motor  trucks  and  ambulances. 

Mobilization  Completed. — After  discharging  the  troops 
at  St.  Nazaire,  the  small  fleet  of  transports,  representing  our 
then  available  capacity  for  oversea  shipments,  returned  to 
Hoboken  for  other  contingents.  The  5th  Field  Artillery  left 
El  Paso,  Texas,  July  23d  and  arrived  at  Hoboken  July  29th, 
when  it  boarded  the  transports.  The  next  day,  the  "Sara- 
toga," carrying  Batteries  E  and  F,  was  rammed  in  New  York 
Harbor  and  the  Batteries  were  landed  to  await  another  ship. 
They  re-embarked  August  7th.  The  6th  Field  Artillery  left 
Douglas,  Arizona,  July  23d,  and  embarked  at  Hoboken  July 
29th.  The  7th  Field  Artillery  left  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas, 
July  22d,  and  embarked  at  Hoboken  July  28th.  Companies 
A  and  B,  2d  Field  Signal  Battalion,  left  Brownsville,  Texas, 
July  22d  and  embarked  at  Hoboken  July  26th.  On  the  night 
of  July  31st  the  convoy  of  three  transports,  \\ith  the  cruiser 
"North  Carolina"  and  five  destroyers  as  escort,  and  an  oil 
ship  carrying  fuel,  started  on  another  perilous  trip  across  the 
Atlantic.  St.  Nazaire  was  reached  August  13th  without 
incident  and  all  disembarked  on  August  14th.  The  Artillery 
remained  in  Camp  No.  1  until  August  22d,  when  the  regiments 
entrained  for  Le  Valdahon,  where  they  arrived  August  24th. 
Companies  A  and  B,  2d  Field  Signal  Battalion,  entrained  from 
Camp  No.  1  August  18th,  and  arrived  at  Gondrecourt  August 
21st. 

The  1st  Engineers  left  Washington  Barracks  August  6th 
and  embarked  at  Hoboken  August  7th.  The  Motor  Battalion 
of  the  1st  Ammunition  Train,  composed  of  volunteers  from 
the  Coast  7^-tillery  Corps,  embarked  at  Hoboken  August  7th. 
These  organizations  sailed  the  same  day  with  a  convoy  of 
five  transports  escorted  by  the  cruiser  "Montana"  and  five 
destroyers.  On  August  20th,  enemy  submarines  were  encoun- 
tered near  Belle  Isle,  off  the  coast  of  France,  and  a  lively 
action  ensued,  but  the  escort  was  able  to  save  all  the  ships 
of  the  convoy.  On  the  same  evening  the  transports  docked  at 
St.  Nazaire  and  the  troops  proceeded  to  Camp  No.  1.    The 


10  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

1st  Engineers  entrained  September  2d  and  ari-ived  at  tlie 
Gondrecourt  Area  September  4th.  The  Motor  BattaUon,  1st 
Ammunition  Train,  left  Camp  No.  1  by  rail  August  28th  and 
joined  the  Field  Artillery  regiments  at  Le  Valdahon,  August 
30th. 

The  Horse  Battalion,  1st  Ammunition  Train,  formed  from 
volunteers  from  the  5th,  6th  and  12th  Regiments  of  Cavalry, 
left  El  Paso,  Texas,  August  6th  and  embarked  at  Hoboken 
August  11th.  Field  Hospital  No.  2  and  Ambulance  Company 
No.  2  left  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas,  August  6th  and  embarked 
at  Hoboken  August  12th.  Field  Hospital  No.  12  and  Ambu- 
lance Company  No.  12  left  Fort  Bliss,  Texas,  August  5th 
and  embarked  at  Hoboken  August  12th.  The  1st  and  2d 
Military  Police  Companies,  composed  of  detachments  from 
the  22d  Infantry,  were  organized  at  Hoboken,  and  embarked 
August  7th.  These  troops  sailed  August  13th  via  Hahfax  for 
Liverpool,  where  they  arrived  September  1st.  After  a  short 
stop  at  La  Havre  they  reached  the  Gondrecourt  Area  Sep- 
tember 6th. 

In  the  meantime  there  was  being  collected  the  nucleus 
of  that  efficient  staff  to  whose  skill,  professional  attainments 
and  devotion  are  due,  in  a  great  measure,  the  high  standards 
and  the  superior  direction  that  contributed  so  powerfully  to 
futiu'e  successes.  Division  Headquarters  arrived  at  Gondre- 
court July  14th,  and  at  once  set  about  preparing  for  the  ardu- 
ous training  that  was  prescribed  by  General  Headquarters. 
About  this  time,  the  staffs  of  the  brigades,  regiments  and  bat- 
talions were  completed,  for  without  the  proper  functioning  of 
these  headquarters,  there  could  have  been  little  progress. 

Field  Hospital  No.  3  left  Fort  Bliss,  Texas,  December  1st, 
and  embarked  at  Hoboken  December  4th.  It  arrived  at  St. 
Nazau-e  December  22d  and  reached  the  Gondrecourt  Area 
December  29th.  Ambulance  Company  No.  3  left  Fort 
Oglethorpe,  Georgia,  December  1st,  and  embarked  at  Hoboken 
December  4th.  It  arrived  at  St.  Nazaire  December  26th,  and 
immediately  entrained  for  Gondrecourt,  where  it  arrived 
December  30th. 

The  1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion  was  not  assembled  in 


ORGANIZATION    AND    MOBILIZATION  11 

the  United  States.  Company  A,  originally  the  4th  Company, 
Provisional  Training  Battalion,  18th  Infantry,  was  formed  at 
Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania,  August  16,  1917,  from  detachments 
of  the  4th,  7th,  58th,  59th,  60th  and  61st  Regiments  of  Infan- 
try. The  Company  left  Gettysburg  October  28th,  and  em- 
barked at  Hoboken  October  29th.  Company  B,  originally 
the  4th  Company,  Provisional  Training  Battalion,  28th 
Infantry,  was  formed  at  Fort  Benjamin  Harrison,  Indiana, 
August  27,  1917,  from  detachments  of  the  10th,  45th  and  46th 
Regiments  of  Infantry.  The  Company  left  Fort  Benjamin 
Harrison  October  29th  and  embarked  at  Hoboken  October 
30th.  These  two  companies  sailed  October  30th  and  arrived 
at  Brest  November  12th.  They  then  proceeded  to  the  Gon- 
drecourt  Area,  where  they  arrived  November  22d.  The  1st 
Machine  Gun  Battalion  was  organized  from  them  at  Reffroy, 
November  23,  1917. 

The  companies  that  later  composed  the  2d  and  3d  Machine 
Gun  Battalions  were  machine  gun  companies  of  the  16th,  18th, 
26th  and  28th  Regiments  of  Infantry  and  went  to  France  as  a 
part  of  these  Regiments. 

The  Headquarters  Troop,  First  Division,  was  organized 
at  St.  Nazaire,  July  14,  1917,  from  detachments  of  the  16th, 
18th,  26th  and  28th  Regiments  of  Infantry.  It  then  accom- 
panied the  Division  Headquarters  to  the  Gondrecourt  Area. 

The  1st  Trench  Mortar  Battery  was  organized  from 
members  of  the  Coast  Artillery  Corps  in  the  Coast  Defenses 
of  the  Delaware  in  June,  1917.  It  left  Fort  Du  Pont,  Delaware, 
for  Fort  Wadsworth,  New  York  Harbor,  June  25,  1917.  It 
embarked  at  Hoboken  August  7,  1917,  and  disembarked  at 
St.  Nazaire  August  21,  1917.  On  August  28th,  it  entrained 
for  Le  Valdahon,  where  it  went  into  training.  On  October 
1,  1917,  it  joined  the  First  Division. 

Mobile  Surgical  Unit  No.  2  was  organized  from  one  surgi- 
cal team  from  Base  Hospital  No.  8  near  St.  Nazaire  and  one 
surgical  team  from  the  Detroit  Unit  stationed  near  Vittel. 
Each  had  two  medical  officers  and  two  niu-ses,  and  to  the  latter 
team  was  added  an  officer  who  was  an  X-ray  specialist.  The 
equipment  was  purchased  from  the  French.    The  teams  joined 


12  ]IIST()1{Y   OK   THE   FII^ST   DIVISION 

the  First  Dhision  at  Bonvillers  May  20,  1918,  where  they  were 
organized  into  the  mobile  surgical  unit  and  attached  to  Field 
Hospital  No.  12. 

The  1st  Engineer  Train  was  organized  at  Washington 
Barracks,  June  12,  1917,  with  a  nucleus  of  sixty  recruits 
transferred  from  the  6th  Regiment  of  Engineers,  which  was 
being  formed  at  Washington.  On  June  24th,  fifty  additional 
recruits  were  received  for  the  purpose  of  operating  the  search- 
light section.  During  the  next  month  the  strength  was 
increased  to  four  officers  and  one  hundred  and  seventy  men. 
The  train  left  Washington  wdth  the  1st  Regiment  of  Engineers 
on  August  6th,  and  embarked  at  Hoboken  August  7th.  The 
convoy  with  which  it  sailed  reached  St.  Nazau-e  August  20th. 
Here  the  train  was  separated  into  sections.  The  detachment 
which  ultimately  comprised  the  train  joined  the  First  Division 
in  the  Gondrecourt  Area  January  15,  1918. 

Pack  Train  No.  10,  like  most  of  the  elements  of  the  Divi- 
sion, had  taken  a  prominent  part  in  the  Mexican  border  dis- 
turbances and  had  accompanied  the  punitive  expedition  into 
Mexico.  It  embarked  on  the  "Saratoga"  July  27th,  but  when 
the  ship  was  rammed  the  train  disembarked  and  sailed  on 
August  7th.  It  landed  at  St.  Nazaire  August  20th  and 
remained  there  till  November  7th.  After  obtaining  green 
mules,  it  made  a  march  of  three  hundred  miles  in  sixteen  days 
to  Nevers,  where  it  entrained  for  Bourbonne-les-Bains.  On 
January  20,  1918,  it  reported  to  the  First  Division. 

The  1st  Mobile  Ordnance  Repair  Shop  was  organized  at 
Governor's  Island,  New  York,  June  10,  1917,  and  sailed  for 
St.  Nazaire  with  the  fii'st  expedition  on  June  14th.  The 
members  of  the  organization  who  were  experts  in  artillery' 
materiel  accompanied  the  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  to  Le 
Valdahon,  while  the  small-arm  experts  went  to  Gondrecourt 
with  the  infantry.  The  two  portions  were  united  when  the 
artillery  joined  the  Division  in  November. 

The  1st  Supply  Train  was  organized  at  Gondrecourt, 
February  17,  1918.  Companies  A,  B  and  C  were  taken  from 
troops  of  the  Quartermaster  Corps.  Company  D  was  formed 
from  Motor  Truck  Company  No.  12,  2d  Division.    Company 


ORGANIZATION   AND   MOBILIZATION 


13 


E  was  formed  from  the  6th  Company,  101st  Supply  Train, 
26th  Division.  Company  F  was  taken  from  Motor  Transport 
Company  No.  303,  401st  Motor  SupiDly  Train,  and  was 
organized  April  23,  1918. 

Machine  Shop  Truck  Units  Nos.  2  and  301  were 
organized  at  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas,  December  11,  1917, 
from  personnel  of  the  Quartermaster  Corjjs.  They  sailed  from 
Hoboken  January  12,  1918,  and  joined  the  Division  February 
4,  1918. 

Sales  Commissary  Unit  No.  309  sailed  from  Hoboken 
July  24,  1918,  and  landed  at  Brest.  It  joined  the  Division  in 
August  and  functioned  in  all  its  operations  thereafter. 

Bakery  Unit  No.  308  sailed  from  Hoboken  June  10,  1918, 
and  joined  the  Division  January  13,  1919. 

Laundry  Unit  No.  314  was  organized  at  Camp  Meigs, 
D.  C,  July  16,  1918,  from  personnel  of  the  Quartermaster 
Corps.  It  sailed  from  Hoboken  August  8,  1918,  and  joined 
the  Division  January  23,  1919. 

Clothing  and  Bath  Unit  No.  319  was  organized  at  Camp 
Joseph  E.  Johnston,  Florida,  in  November,  1918,  and  sailed 
from  Newport  News,  Virginia,  December  20,  1918,  on  the 
"Huron."  It  arrived  at  St.  Nazaire  January  1,  1919,  and 
proceeded  to  join  the  Division. 

The  Division  was  truly  representative  of  America.  Among 
its  original  members  and  among  the  dead  at  the  end  of  its 
campaigns  and  battles  were  the  sons  of  the  following  States, 
Territories  and  Possessions: 

States 


Alabama 

Idaho 

Michigan 

Arizona 

Illinois 

Minnesota 

Arkansas 

Indiana 

Mississippi 

California 

Iowa 

Missouri 

Colorado 

Kansas 

Montana 

Connecticut 

Kentucky 

Nebraska 

Delaware 

Louisiana 

Nevada 

Di.strict  of  Columbia 

Maine 

New  Hampshii'e 

Florida 

Maryland 

New  Jersey 

Georgia 

Massachusetts 

New  Mexico 

14 


HISTORY  OF   THE  FIRST   DIVISION 


New  York 
North  Carolina 
North  Dakota 
Ohio 

Oklahoma 
Oregon 


.  States  (ContdJ 

Pennsylvania 

Rhode  Islantl 

South  Carolina 

South  Dakota 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Utah 


Vermont 

\'irginia 

Washington 

West  Virfiinia 

Wisconsin 

Wyoming 


Territories 
Alaska  Hawaii 


Possessions 


Guam 
Philippine  Islands 


Panama  Canal  Zone 
Porto  Rico 


Gondrecourt. — The  Division,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Artillery,  was  concentrated  by  the  early  part  of  September, 
1917,  in  the  Gondrecourt  Area  (Map  I),  which  had  been 
selected  for  training  purposes.  The  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade 
joined  the  Division  in  the  Gondrecoiu^:  Area  upon  being 
relieved  from  the  Sommerviller  Sector,  November  21,  1917. 
The  area  extended  from  south  of  Gondrecourt  almost  to 
Ligny-en-Barrois  and  lay,  in  general,  between  the  Saulx  and 
the  Ornain  Rivers.  All  France  knew  now  that  the  Americans 
had  come.  The  business-like  manner  in  which  everyone  set 
about  the  performance  of  his  duties  showed  unmistakably 
that  the  United  States  was  in  the  war,  with  all  the  keenness 
and  strength  of  youth  and  with  all  the  determination  that 
accompanies  a  fixed  purpose. 

But  if  the  French  were  learning  of  the  Americans,  the 
latter  were  rapidly  acquiring  kno^^•ledge  of  the  changed  con- 
ditions that  confronted  them.  Just  as  the  discomforts  of  the 
French  box-cars  were  many  and  varied,  so  also  were  the 
inconveniences  and  hardships  to  be  endiu-ed  in  the  billets  of 
the  villages.  Barns  and  stables  with  the  untouched  cobwebs 
of  years,  and  with  decayed  roofs  through  which  the  rain,  snow 
and  wind  entered  freely,  were  the  sleejiing  places  for  the  men. 
Those  who  could  not  be  crowded  into  the  lofts,  with  their 


MARSHAL  FOCH 

The  genius  who  guided  the  Allied  Armies  to  victory 


ORGANIZATION   AND   MOBILIZATION  17 

rickety  ladders  that  served  as  stairways,  were  sheltered  in 
Adrian  portalile  barracks,  which  the  troops  erected  in  vacant 
lots  or  in  the  fields  adjacent  to  the  towns.  Wood  could  be 
procured  for  cooking  only,  and  the  men  were  sent  into  the 
carefully  conserved  forests  to  cut  their  scanty  allowance  for 
this  pinpose.  There  were  no  fires  in  the  billets  during  a  large 
part  of  the  time.  ^ 

The  climate  in  this  section,  at  least  in  this  season  of  the 
year,  did  not  suggest  the  title  of  "Sunny  France."  There  was 
much  rain,  which  not  only  kept  the  men  wet,  but  converted 
the  country  into  a  sea  of  mud.  Later,  the  cold  became  intense. 
There  was  sleet  and  deep  snow,  which  made  travel  difficult 
with  horses,  and  at  times  impossible  with  motor  vehicles. 
During  the  winter,  many  men  had  frosted  and  swollen  feet 
and  numerous  cases  of  frozen  feet  were  treated.  The  supply 
system  did  not  flow  uninterruptedly,  and  a  scarcity  of  forage, 
due  to  the  interruption  of  traffic  in  transporting  Allied  troops 
to  Italy,  caused  suffering  among  the  horses.  J  Nevertheless, 
everyone  accepted  the  conditions  with  a  cheerfulness  and  a 
fortitude  that  foretold  the  high  soldierly  virtues  for  which 
the  Division  became  distinguished.  The  experiences  of  the 
men  during  this  period  undoubtedly  contributed  largely  to 
the  growth  of  character  and  strength  that  were  needed  in 
the  more  severe  ordeals  that  lay  before  them.  Just  as  one 
takes  pride  in  recalling  hardships  rather  than  pleasures,  so 
everyone  who  marched  in  the  darkness  and  the  bitter  cold 
to  the  drill  grounds,  or  slept  in  the  freezing  lofts,  was  glad  to 
think  that  he  was  privileged  to  be  at  the  apex  of  his  country's 
effort,  and  counted  the  sacrifices  as  small  compared  with  the 
fulness  of  living  and  serving.  He  knew  that  there  were  mil- 
lions in  America  who  would  have  given  their  all  to  stand  on 
that  frozen  ground  or  to  sleep  in  those  cold  barns. 

There  was  always  the  cordial  attitude  of  the  French 
people,  and  some  relaxation  and  small  pleasures  were  found 
in  the  village  cafes  over  a  glass  of  "vin  rouge"  or  in  a  chat 
with  the  villagers,  to  whom  the  matter  of  language  appeared 
to  make  little  difference.  General  Pershing  came  frequently 
to  see  the  troops  and  to  observe  their  performances  and  their 


18  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

progress.  On  these  visits  he  was  aecoinpanied  sometimes  by 
distinguished  French  officers,  inchiding  Marshal  Joffj-e,  Gen- 
eral Castelnau  and  General  (afterward  Marshal)  Petain.  On 
September  6th,  the  anniversary  of  the  Battle  of  the  Marne, 
President  Poincare  delivered  an  address  to  the  Division.  In 
burning  words,  he  told  these  pioneers  that  on  tliem,  as  the 
foundation  of  the  American  Arm}',  rested  the  liope  f)f  France 
and  her  allies.  M.  Clemenceau,  soon  to  become  the  Premier 
of  France,  was  a  sympathetic  visitor,  who  always  received  a 
cordial  welcome.  His  personality  and  greeting  had  a  great 
appeal  to  the  men,  and  he  understood  the  value  of  kindly 
interest  and  approval. 

I  Whether  from  purpose  or  accident,  the  troops  lived  daih^ 
and  hoiu-ly  wdth  the  sound  of  the  guns  of  St.  ^Slihiel  in  their 
ears.  The  constant  and  ominous  boom  of  those  deep-tlaroated 
cannon  was  prophetic  of  the  days  to  come,  and  thej^  seemed 
at  once  a  call  to  the  fray  and  a  warning  to  come  prepared. 
What  more  fitting  conditions  could  have  existed  to  teach  men 
the  grim  art  of  fighting  and  killing  and  the  sublime  spirit  of 
sacrifice  even  unto  death? 

Thus  began  the  career  of  the  First  Division,  which  was 
destined  to  win  undying  fame  for  the  fierceness  of  its  assaults, 
for  the  spirituality  of  its  endurance  and  for  the  courage  and 
high  ideals  of  its  officers  and  soldiers. 


CHAPTER  II 


TRAINING— FIRST  PERIOD 


Preliminary  Instruction. — Although  the  troops  were  basic- 
ally trained  in  the  fundamentals  of  the  soldier  and  were  full 
of  enthusiasm  and  vigor,  it  was  essential  that  these  qualities 
should  be  employed  scientifically  if  they  were  to  produce  the 
best  results.  'Tactics  had  changed  entirely  dining  the  war 
and  were  continually  undergoing  further  changes,  due  to  the 
employment  of  new  weapons  and  new  formations  and  to  the 
stabilized  conditions  of  the  Armies  in  long  lines  of  trenches 
with  no  flanks.  It  was,  therefore,  necessary  that  the  Division 
should  be  instructed  in  the  style  of  fighting  that  the  Allied 
Nations  had  found  to  be  the  most  effective  after  three  years 
of  experience.  So  desperate  and  cruel  was  the  struggle  that 
ignorant  troops  would  have  been  sacrificed  without  accom- 
plishing any  useful  results. 

;  The  plan  of  training  prescribed  by  General  Headquarters, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces,  allowed  a  division  one  month 
for  acchmatization  and  instruction  in  small  units  from  battal- 
ions down.  The  battalions  were  then  required  to  serve  one 
month  with  French  battalions  in  the  trenches  in  contact  with 
the  enemy,  and  thus  learn  by  experience  the  application  of 
the  methods  that  had  been  taught  them  without  being  entirely 
responsible  for  the  defense  of  the  sector.  Upon  being  taken 
out  of  the  trenches,  a  third  month  was  devoted  to  the  training 
of  the  combined  Division  in  the  tactics  of  open  warfare.  The 
Division  was  then  ready  to  take  over  and  defend  a  sector  in 
the  line.J 

The  47th  French  Division  of  Chasseurs  Alpins,  the 
renowned  "Blue  Devils,"  was  stationed  in  the  same  area  as 
the  First  Division  to  assist  in  the  practical  training.  In  addi- 
tion, many  specially  selected  French  officers  and  non-com- 
missioned officers  and  a  few  specialists  from  the  British  Army 
were  assigned  to  the  Division  as  instructors.  Schools  for  the 
teaching  of  officers  and  men  were  established  and  vigorously 

(19) 


20  HISTORY   UF   THE  FIRST   DIVISION 

conducted.  Many  of  the  junior  officers  took  courses  of 
instruction  at  British  and  French  schools,  after  which  they 
had  short  tours  of  duty  at  the  front.  Schedules  for  the  inten- 
sive training  of  the  troops  were  prescribed  and  followed  without 
rest  or  relaxation.  It  was  realized  that  in  these  schools  and 
training  grounds  the  foundation  was  being  laid  for  the  develop- 
ment of  the  great  American  Armj^  that  was  to  follow  and  that 
many  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  First  Division  would 
be  required  as  instructors  in  other  schools  and  for  other  divi- 
sions when  they  arrived.  As  was  to  be  expected,  after  years 
of  trench  fighting,  almost  all  instruction  was  in  trench  warfare. 

[The  Infantry. — The  instruction  for  the  infantry  began 
with  the  individual  soldier  and  gradually  extended  to  the 
squad,  the  platoon,  the  company  and  the  battalion.  In  the 
meantime,  the  regiments  were  employed  during  the  first 
training  period  in  the  construction  of  an  extensive  set  of  prac- 
tice trenches  about  which  the  initial  training  centered.  The 
works  represented  a  complete  section  of  the  battle  line.  They 
were  dug  in  difficult,  stony  ground  and  included  the  typical 
first  line,  support  and  reserve  trenches,  properly  protected  by 
wire  entanglements.  The  main  system  was  located  near 
Gondrecourt  and  received  the  name  of  "Washington  Center." 
In  the  vicinity  of  the  other  towns  where  troops  were  billeted 
smaller  trench  systems  were  constructed  for  local  use. 

[Aside  from  teaching  the  construction  and  occupation  of 
the  trenches,  the  French  troops  explained  the  use  of  trench 
weapons  such  as  the  hand  and  rifle  grenades,  the  37-mm.  gun 
and  the  trench  mortar.  The  devil-may-care  spirit  of  the 
French  chasseurs  appealed  to  our  men,  who  speedily  absorbed 
their  methods.  The  chasseurs  would  give  an  exhibition  of 
how  a  movement  should  be  executed  and  our  men  tried  to 
imitate  them.  Mistakes  would  be  corrected  and  quick  com- 
prehension would  be  praised.  :  Eager  as  were  the  Frenchmen 
to  teach,  the  Americans  seemed  even  more  eager  to  learn. 

I  After  constructing  the  trenches  and  learning  the  use  of 
trench  weapons,  the  infantry  was  taught  how  to  occupy  and 
to  hold  them.  The  distribution  of  the  men,  the  placing  of 
machine  guns,  automatic  rifles,    37-mm.  guns  and  grenades 


TRAINING  21 

and  the  manner  of  observing  the  enemy  with  trench  instru- 
ments and  devices  were  practiced.  Details  brought  all  food 
and  ammunition  from  the  rear  into  the  trenches  as  they 
would  be  compelled  to  do  in  the  face  of  the  enemy.  The  use 
of  pyrotechnics  and  the  meaning  of  different  rocket  and  Very 
pistol  signals  with  the  different  colored  cartridges,  as  well  as 
the  methods  of  communicating  by  ground  signals  with  the 
aeroplanes,  were  a  part  of  the  training. 

In  addition  to  the  exercises  in  the  trenches,  contests 
were  held  between  the  chasseurs  and  our  men  in  the  use  of 
weapons.  The  most  friendly  rivalry  existed  and  the  warm- 
hearted Frenchmen  were  loud  in  their  applause  when  their 
pupils  excelled  them.  During  instruction  in  the  trenches,  gas 
alarms  with  imitation  gas  clouds  were  used  to  give  skill  in 
putting  on  and  wearing  the  gas  mask.  Especial  attention 
was  given  to  perfecting  the  men  in  adjusting  the  gas  mask 
and  in  gas  discipline.  The  saying  became  common  that  when 
the  gas  alarm  was  given  there  remained  only  the  "quick  and 
the  dead."  Both  the  British  and  French  masks  were  adopted. 
The  British  instructors  were  reUed  upon  for  bayonet  training, 
as  the  art  of  bayonet  fighting  had  been  emphasized  by  the 
British  troops.  Specialists  were  taught  the  use  of  the  37-mm. 
gun  and  the  trench  mortar,  both  of  which  had  been  unknown 
in  our  service.  Another  strange  weapon  to  the  Americans 
was  the  Chauchat  automatic  rifle  which  was  here  issued  for 
the  first  time.  The  men  quickly  learned  to  "strip"  it,  to 
assemble  and  to  care  for  it  and  to  fire  it  with  good  effect 
up  to  the  limit  of  its  range,  which,  however,  was  not  great. 
J  At  all  times  the  use  of  the  infantry  rifle  was  emphasized  and 
men  were  taught  that,  in  the  last  analysis,  the  rifle  and  then 
the  bayonet  were  the  infantryman's  greatest  reliance.  All 
were  given  special  practice  in  throwing  hand  grenades  and 
in  the  use  of  rifle  grenades.  Unhappily,  skill  with  these 
dangerous  missiles  was  gained  not  without  accidents  that 
brought  home  to  the  troops  the  realities  of  war. 

(^Such  small  maneuvers  and  field  exercises  were  conducted 
as  were  appropriate  to  the  units,  and  some  of  these  occurred 
at  night  in  order  to  accustom  the  men  to  the  conditions  of 


22  HISTORY   OK   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

actual  operations.  The  entire  day  was  devoted  to  work.  A 
sandwich  and  water  from  the  canteen  usually  constituted  the 
mid-day  meal,  as  no  time  could  be  lost  in  going  to  the  billets 
for  hot  food.  Neither  rain  nor  cold  nor  snow  was  permitted 
to  interrupt  the  schedule.J 

During  the  training  period,  the  psychology  of  the  war 
was  not  overlooked.  The  brutal  methods  practiced  by  the 
enemy  were  well  known  and  the  fighting  spirit  that  was  essen- 
tial to  sustain  men  in  modern  battle  was  inculcated  by  every 
means.  It  was  constantly  emphasized  that  the  enemy  must 
be  killed  or  disabled  unless  he  surrendered.  Men  were  taught 
to  think  of  personal  combat  and  of  how  to  use  their  weapons 
with  the  greatest  violence  and  effect.  Every  thrust  of  the 
bayonet  simulated  the  piercing  of  an  enemy's  body,  and  even 
the  billets  contained  placards  that  stimulated  the  desire  for 
individual  prowess.  Thus,  men  early  acquired  confidence  in 
their  skill  and  in  their  weapons,  and  a  sense  of  superiority 
over  the  enemy  that  made  them  anxious  to  meet  and  destroy 
him^ 

The  Machine  Gunners. — While  the  machine  gun  had 
not  assumed  the  impoi-tance  that  it  developed  in  the  last  year 
of  the  war,  it  was  nevertheless  considered  to  be  highly  essential 
in  either  attack  or  defense.  The  Hotchkiss  type  in  use  by  the 
French  was  adopted  for  the  American  Army,  and  it  was  issued 
to  the  machine  gun  companies  of  each  regiment.  After  a 
week's  practice  in  the  nomenclature  and  care  of  the  gun  and  in 
dismounting,  assembling  and  aiming  it,  the  full  equipment  of 
machine  guns  and  carts  was  issued  to  each  unit.  The  drill 
then  consisted  in  selecting  and  occupying  positions  and  in 
serving  the  guns  against  an  imaginary  enemy  position.  As 
in  the  case  of  the  infantry,  the  French  instructors  were  greatly 
surprised  at  the  speed  with  which  the  Americans  learned  to 
operate  and  employ  the  gun.  They  were  taught  the  methods 
of  relieving  other  troops  in  sectors,  of  firing  protective  bar- 
rages, of  "nesting"  guns  and  of  organizing  their  positions  in 
depth  and  the  details  of  trench  life  as  they  would  see  and 
experience  it  in  a  front  line  sector.  As  an  actual  demonstra- 
tion during  a  battalion  maneuver  in  the  "Washington  Center" 


I'i'I'ER:  Inslriu-tioii  days  in  liandling  "trench  niurtar." 

Lower:  Artillery  receiving  instruction  in  handlint;  French  75-nim.  guns. 


24  HISTORY   OF    I'HE   FIRST   DIVISION 

trenches,  the  machine  gunners  were  required  to  dehver  a 
barrage  on  several  communicating  trenches  leading  to  the 
trenches  that  were  being  attacked  by  our  infantry.  The  fire 
of  the  machine  guns  proved  entirely  accurate  and  was  main- 
tained during  a  period  of  twelve  minutes. 

The  Engineers. — Soon  after  arriving  in  the  Gondrecourt 
Area,  the  1st  Battalion,  1st  Engineers,  took  up  a  course  of 
training  in  field  fortifications  under  a  French  company  of 
engineers.  The  program  included  the  technical  details  of 
lajdng  out  and  constructing  the  most  approved  forms  of 
trenches,  dug-outs,  command  posts,  emi^lacements  for  the 
special  arms,  posts  of  observation,  wire  entanglements  and 
other  obstacles  and  the  methods  of  destroying  the  enemy's 
wire  by  cutting  or  by  blowing  it  apart  with  Bangalore  tor- 
pedoes. The  2d  Battalion,  1st  Engineers,  was  engaged  during 
this  period  in  constructing  barracks  throughout  the  areas 
to  be  occupied  by  the  incoming  troops.  At  the  same  time, 
all  engineer  troops  were  drilled  as  infantry,  and  were  taught 
the  use  of  the  rifle,  the  hand  grenade  and  the  gas  mask. 

The  Signal  Troops. — Under  the  organization  of  the  2d 
Field  Signal  Battalion,  Company  A  was  a  radio  company; 
Company  B,  a  wire  company;  and  Company  C,  an  outpost 
company.  The  French  equipment  was  adopted.  An  officer 
assisted  by  non-commissioned  officers  from  the  8th  Fi-ench 
Engineers  instructed  the  men  in  the  French  methods,  while 
an  English  officer  explained  the  system  followed  by  the  British 
forces.  After  classroom  demonstrations  and  practical  appli- 
cations of  the  subjects  taught,  details  were  sent  to  the  front 
Une  trenches  for  the  pm-pose  of  observing  the  operation  of 
signal  equipment  in  actual  use.  These  details  returned  to 
instruct  other  men.  Non-commissioned  officers  and  men  were 
detailed  to  the  1st  Field  Ai'tillerj'  Brigade  at  Le  Valdahon  and 
to  the  infantry  regiments  for  the  piu'pose  of  familiarizing 
themselves  with  artillery  fire  control  and  communication 
between  troops  in  action.  Voluntary  evening  classes  were 
formed  in  buzzer-phones,  T.  P.  S.  wireless  sets,  switchboard 
operation,  telephone  construction  and  maintenance,  the  Alorse 
and  Continental  codes,  secret  codes  and  ciphers,  listening-in 
sets  and  wireless  telegraphy. 


TRAINING  25 

The  Trains. — From  the  beginning,  the  Trains,  the  Head- 
quarters Troop  and  the  MiUtary  PoUce  were  called  upon  to 
function  in  serving  the  Division  just  as  they  would  be  com- 
pelled to  do  in  the  operations.  At  the  same  time,  all  received 
such  military  instruction  as  was  practicable,  especially  in  the 
use  of  the  gas  mask  and  in  the  care  of  animals  and  of  all  classes 
of  transportation.  Horses  for  all  mounted  units  were  pro- 
cured from  the  French  and  much  time  was  spent  in  condi- 
tioning and  caring  for  them.  Field  Hospital  No.  13  and  Ambu- 
lance Company  No.  13  operated  in  caring  for  the  sick,  and 
medical  officers  were  sent  to  observe  the  methods  at  French 
hospitals. 

The  Field  Artillery, — The  Field  Artillery,  as  has  been 
seen,  was  concentrated  upon  its  arrival  at  Le  Valdahon.  There, 
the  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  was  organized  and  Brigade 
headquarters  was  established  July  16th.  The  5th  Field  Aj-tillery 
was  designated  a  heavy  howitzer  regiment  and  was  equipped 
with  the  French  155-mm.  howitzers.  The  6th  and  7th  Field 
Artiller}'  were  designated  as  light  artillery  and  were  equipped 
with  the  French  75-mm.  guns.  A  French  corps  of  instructors 
had  been  organized  and  had  perfected  plans  for  training  prior 
to  the  arrival  of  the  troops.  A  French  aero  squadron  and  a 
French  balloon  company  were  available  for  the  training  of 
artillery  observers.  Horses  for  the  brigade  were  procured  from 
the  French  within  a  few  days  after  arrival. 

Actual  instruction  commenced  on  August  24th.  The 
French  teachers  were  confronted  by  the  task  of  imparting  in 
a  few  short  weeks  the  technical  and  tactical  knowledge  gained 
by  them  in  three  years  of  war  on  the  western  front.  While 
the  American  artillery  had  been  taught  in  their  own  country 
the  correct  principles  in  the  use  of  the  arm,  the  appHcation 
of  the  methods  developed  by  the  war  differed  materially  from 
previous  conceptions  of  the  employment  of  artillery.  To  each 
battalion  was  assigned,  as  senior  instructor,  a  French  officer, 
who  was  assisted  by  a  small  staff  of  commissioned  and  non- 
commissioned personnel.  This  officer  had  complete  charge  of 
the  technical  firing  instruction  of  the  battalion.  In  addition, 
there  were  special  departments  in  orientation,  materiel,  tele- 


26  lIlSroHV    OF    THK    FIRST    J)1V1S1()N 

phones,  radio  and  aerial  observation,  all  of  wliich  were  in 
charge  of  French  officers  and  soldiers. 

The  first  week  was  devoted  to  instruction  in  materiel, 
ch-ill  regulations,  orientation  and  the  principles  of  fire  in  prep- 
aration for  the  target  practice  which  was  to  commence  in 
the  second  week.  The  gun  squads  were  instructed  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  piece  by  French  non-commissioned  officers.  Initial 
firing  practice  was  held  September  3d.  Thereafter,  five 
mornings  of  each  week, until  the  end  of  the  course,  were  devoted 
to  target  practice.  Each  battalion  conducted  its  own  prac- 
tice and  each  battery  fired  every  third  day.  The  afternoons 
were  spent  in  critiques  on  the  morning's  firing  and  in  lectures 
on  special  tojoics  by  various  French  officers.  After  the  third 
week,  specialist  classes  were  formed  in  the  instruction  of 
Uaison  officers,  orientation  officers  and  aerial  observers.  These 
classes  were  held  in  the  aftei-noon  so  as  not  to  interfere  with 
the  firing  instruction  of  the  officers  and  men  composing  them. 

Diu-ing  the  final  two  weeks  of  the  course,  the  Frencli 
officers  acted  solely  in  an  advisory  capacitj'  and  the  actual 
supervision  of  the  training  \\'as  exercised  b}'  the  regimental 
and  battalion  commanders.  The  target  practice  included  the 
various  forms  of  adjustment  from  different  points  of  observa- 
tion, fire  for  destruction  and  liarrage  fire.  The  batteries  had 
daily  jaractice  in  road  marching  to  develop  skill  in  the  drivers 
and  to  condition  the  horses.  The  entu'e  schedule  covered  seven 
weeks.  The  regiments  laid  tlie  foundation  for  independent 
progress,  and  their  lack  of  practical  experience  was  more  than 
offset  by  their  basic  training,  eagerness  and  self-confidence. 

The  Staff. — "VMiile  the  troops  were  accjuu-ing  proficiency, 
the  staff  was  not  overlooked.  Without  ^^'ise  and  experienced 
direction  the  best  of  troops  may  fail.  French  liaison  staff 
officers  were  assigned  to  Division,  Brigade  and  Regimental 
Headquarters  to  explain  the  methods  piu-sued  by  the  different 
staff  sections  in  the  French  Army.  Dining  the  month  of 
August,  the  Division,  Brigade  and  Regimental  commanders 
and  various  staff  officers  visited  the  French  front  and  learned 
by  actual  experience  and  observation  tlie  conduct  of  warfare. 
In  all  the  problems  for  the  troops,  the  staffs  prepared  complete 


TRAINING  27 

orders  and  plans  as  in  actual  operations  and  thus  became  accus- 
tomed to  the  technique  of  the  French  methods,  as  adapted  to 
our  own.  Frequent  conferences  were  held  at  the  various  head- 
quarters and  there  began  at  this  time  that  close  relationship 
and  mutual  understanding  between  the  staff  and  the  line  that 
marked  the  Division  throughout  the  campaigns. 

TRAINING— SECOND  PERIOD 

The  Sommerviller  Sector. — The  time  had  now  come  to 
face  a  real  instead  of  an  imaginary  or  represented  enemy  on 
the  other  side  of  no-man's-land.J  One  may  well  imagine  the 
excitement,  born  of  the  spirit  of  adventure,  and  the  eagei'ness 
that  sprang  into  the  minds  and  hearts  of  these  American  lads 
when  the  news  spread  that  the  opportunity  was  near  for  the 
exchange  of  shots  ancl  for  a  closer  acquaintance  with  the  thun- 
der of  those  guns  that  had  been  ringing  so  long  in  their  ears. 
On  October  14th,  orders  were  issued  in  great  detail  for  the 
movement.  Detachments  from  the  first  battalions  to  leave 
preceded  them  to  make  reconnaissances  and  to  familiarize 
themselves  with  the  topography  and  the  life  of  the  sector 
before  the  arrival  of  the  troops. 

The  Sommerviller  Sector  on  the  Lorraine  front  was 
chosen  as  the  most  suitable  place  for  the  Americans  to  have 
their  first  experience  with  the  German  methods  of  warfare 
(Map  II).  It  lay  between  Luneville  and  Nancy,  about  ten 
kilometers  northeast  of  the  latter  city.  It  covered  a  rolling 
and  attractive  country  traversed  by  the  Rhine-Marne  Canal. 
The  surrounding  country  was  suitable  for  the  maneuver  of 
large  armies,  and  for  years  it  had  been  regarded  as  the  probable 
battleground  upon  which  any  war  between  France  and  Ger- 
many would  be  fought.  However,  the  German  plan  of  cam- 
paign shifted  the  most  active  theater  of  operations  farther  to 
the  west.  There  was  heavy  fighting  in  this  vicinity  in  1914 
and  1915,  but  after  that  time  the  sector  had  been  compara- 
tively quiet. 

On  October  20,  1917,  the  1st  Battahon  of  each  infantry 
regiment  left  the  Gondrecourt  Area,  and,  on  the  night  of 
October  21st,  these  four  battalions  entered  the  sector  and 


28  HISTOHV    OF   THK    FIRST    1)I\ISI()X 

occupied  the  trendies  of  tlie  Freiicli  position.  The  18th 
Infantry  was  on  the  rigiit  facing  Parroy  and  the  other  regi- 
ments were  in  the  order,  16th,  26th  and  28th,  with  the  left 
regiment  in  the  vicinity  of  Arracourt.  Each  battahon  con- 
tained a  machine  gun  company  in  accordance  with  the  organi- 
zation at  that  time.  Detachments  from  the  1st  Engineers  and 
from  the  2d  Field  Signal  Battalion  accompanied  each  battalion. 
One  battalion  of  Field  Artillery  from  each  regiment  of  the  1st 
Field  Artillery  Brigade  left  Le  Valdahon  on  October  18th  and 
entered  the  sector  on  the  night  of  October  22d.  Field  Hospital 
No.  13  and  Ambulance  Company  No.  13  accompanied  the 
troops.  They  were  relieved  at  Gondrecourt  by  Field  Hospital 
No.  12  and  Ambulance  Company  No.  12.' 

The  18th  French  Division  was  holding  the  sector  and 
was  in  charge  of  the  instruction  of  the  American  units,  which 
were  grouped  with  corresponding  French  units.  There  were 
no  French,  however,  in  the  portions  of  the  trenches  held  by 
the  Americans,  who  occupied  the  strong  points,  the  centers 
of  resistance,  the  observation  posts  and  all  other  elements  of 
the  defense,  under  the  French.  The  gims  of  the  artiller}^  were 
laid  so  as  to  superimpose  their  barrage  fire  upon  that  of  the 
French  batteries.  Thus,  while  sharing  in  the  defense,  the 
responsibility  in  case  of  a  hostile  attack  rested  upon  the 
French.  The  highest  American  command  in  the  sector  was  a 
company.  Regimental  and  higher  commanders  were  afforded 
every  opportunity  to  visit  their  troops  and  were  extended 
every  courtesy.  In  spite  of  these  carefully  laid  plans,  the 
Division  was  destined  here  to  have  a  real  taste  of  the  war  and 
to  realize  the  need  for  all  the  skill  that  could  be  acquired. 

;  At  6:05  A.  M.,  October  23d,  the  first  shot  from  an  Amer- 
ican-manned gun  was  fired  by  Battery  C,  6th  Field  Artillery. 
On  October  23d,  wound  casualties  were  suffered  and  trc^ated 
in  Field  Hospital  No.  13,  which  was  installed  with  French 
hospitals  at  Einville  and  Dombasle.  On  October  25th,  the 
first  American  officer  was  wounded.  On  October  27th,  the 
18th  Infantry  captured  the  first  prisoner  taken  by  American 
troops.  , 

1  Letter,  G.  II.  Q.,  October  8,  1917.    F.  O.  Nos.  1  and  2,  First  Division,  1917. 


Upper:  Troops  on  practice  march  in  snow,  no:u'  Oondrccourt,  France,  December,  1917. 
Lower:  A  75-mm.  gun  with  wliich  Battery  C,  6th  F.  A.,  fired  the  first  American  shot  at 
0:05  A.  M.,  October  23,  1917. 


30  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

The  infantry  was  instructed  in  patrolling  and  the  1st 
Battahon,  26th  Infantry,  made  a  small  raid  toward  the  end 
of  its  tour.  The  artillerj^men  and  machine  gunners  fired 
sufficiently  to  familiarize  themselves  with  observation  and 
adjustment  under  the  limitations  imposed  by  the  French. 
The  experience  was  of  the  greatest  value  in  bringing  a  realiza- 
tion of  the  war,  in  accustoming  the  men  to  sustaining  losses 
and  in  teaching  them  the  routine  and  methods  of  caring  for 
themselves  and  of  adapting  themselves  to  life  in  the  trenches. 
The  artillery  gained  knowledge  in  constructing  and  camouflag- 
ing their  emplacements,  working  at  night  so  as  to  avoid  dis- 
covery by  the  enemy,  and  the  engineers  had  practice  in  making 
wire  entanglements  in  no-man's-land. 

On  the  night  of  November  2d-3d,  the  2d  BattaUons  of  the 
infantry  regiments  reheved  the  1st  Battalions  and  tlieir 
machine  gun  units.  The  engineers  and  signal  detachments  were 
hkemse  changed.^  The  execution  of  a  relief  is  in  itself  a 
difficult  and  a  dangerous  operation,  and  every  precaution  was 
taken  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  knowing  of  the  plan.  On 
this  occasion  the  reUef  was  completed  and  the  newly  arrived 
garrisons  set  about  learning  their  way  in  the  maze  of  deep 
trenches  and  famiUarizing  themselves  wdth  the  instructions 
for  the  defense  given  by  their  predecessors. 

The  2d  Battalion,  16th  Infantry,  occupied  the  portion  of 
the  line  in  front  of  Bathelemont  along  the  rim  of  a  bald  hill 
that  jutted  out  toward  the  Rhine-Marne  Canal.  With  the 
exception  of  a  rifle  shot  here  and  there,  the  stillness  of  the 
black  night  was  unbroken  and  the  men  were  tense  with  the 
novelty  and  the  sense  of  danger.  Suddenly,  about  3 :00  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  there  was  a  blinding  flash  and  a  crash  and  a 
roar  that  seemed  to  upset  and  to  blot  out  the  very  earth  itself. 
The  German  artillery  fire  descended  with  a  suddenness  and  a 
violence  that  was  like  a  great  convulsion  of  nature.  In  the 
trenches  and  on  the  gun  emplacements,  tons  of  hostile  steel 
were  scattered  as  the  high  explosive  shells  rained  upon  them 
and  burst  with  the  deafening,  shattering  sound  that  must  be 
experienced  to  be  understood.    To  add  to  the  spectacle,  alarm 

2  Supplement  to  F.  O.  No.  1,  First  Division,  1917. 


TRAINING  31 

rockets  and  flares  went  up  from  all  along  the  line,  calling  for 
help.  Little  could  be  done,  however,  for  the  doomed  men  who 
were  at  the  point  selected  b}'  the  enemy  for  his  raid.  Sud- 
denly, the  fire  of  the  enemy  shifted  to  form  a  box-barrage, 
which  effectually  enclosed  a  platoon  of  the  16th  Infantry, 
and  not  only  cut  off  anj'  possibility  of  its  withdrawal,  but  pre- 
vented the  arrival  of  reinforcements.  The  enemy's  raiding 
party  crept  forward  under  their  artillery  fire  and  lilew  gaps 
in  the  protecting  wire  with  Bangalore  torpedoes.  Thej^  then 
rushed  upon  the  platoon,  and  the  first  evidence  of  their 
presence  was  the  explosion  of  hand  grenades  thrown  among 
the  men  in  the  trenches.  With  pistols,  trench  knives  and 
bayonets  they  attacked  the  men  along  the  trench.  The  affair 
lasted  only  a  few  minutes,  when  the  raiders  disappeared  and 
the  fire  ceased.  As  a  result,  a  sergeant  and  ten  men  were 
carried  aw^ay  as  prisoners,  some  of  them  being  wounded,  and 
three  others  lay  dead  in  the  muddy  bottom  of  the  trench.  The 
Germans  had  cut  the  throat  of  one  of  them.  Thus,  for  the 
first  time  in  the  great  conflict,  American  soldiers  laid  down 
their  lives  for  their  countrj'  and  for  civilization.  In  this  first 
sacrificial  offering  w^ere  Corporal  James  B.  Gresham,  Private 
Thomas  F.  Enright  and  Private  Merle  D.  Hay. 

[The  bodies  of  these  dead  heroes  were  tenderly  carried  to 
the  rear  to  await  the  last  rites.  They  ■were  buried  the  following 
day  at  the  war-WTecked  town  of  Bathelemont  ^\'ith  mihtary 
honors  from  the  Armies  of  France  and  America.  French  infan- 
trymen and  artillerymen  and  Americans  were  formed  in  a 
square  facing  the  graves.  The  French  General  in  command  of 
the  troops  made  an  eloquent  address  in  which  he  said : 

The  death  of  this  hiimV)le  Corporal  and  thcso  Piivates  appeals  to  us 
with  unwonted  grandeur.  We  will,  therefore,  ask  that  the  mortal  remains 
of  these  young  men  be  left  to  us  forever.  We  will  inscribe  on  their  tombs, 
"Here  lie  the  first  soldiers  of  the  United  States  to  fall  on  the  fields  of 
France  for  justice  and  liberty."  The  passerby  will  stop  and  uncover  his 
head.  The  travelers  of  France,  of  the  Allied  countries,  of  America,  and 
the  men  of  heart,  who  will  come  to  visit  our  battlefields  of  Lorraine,  will 
go  out  of  their  way  to  come  here  to  bring  to  these  graves  the  tribute  of 
their  respect  and  gratitude.  Corporal  Gresham,  Private  Enright  and 
Private  Hay,  in  the  name  of  France  I  thank  you.    God  receive  your  souls. 


82  HISTORY  OF  THE   PTRST   DIVISION 

On  the  night  of  November  5-G,  1917,  the  artillery  battul- 
ions  were  relieved  by  succeeding  battalions  from  each  regi- 
ment. The  remainder  of  the  tour  passed  with  the  normal 
amount  of  sniping,  artillery  fire  and  resulting  casualties. 

At  the  end  of  the  second  ten-day  tour,  the  3d  Battalions 
with  their  machine  gun  companies  relieved  the  2d  Battalions 
of  the  infantry  regiments.  Corresponding  detachments  from 
the  1st  Engineers  and  the  2d  Field  Signal  Battalion  accom- 
panied them.  The  service  during  the  last  tour  was  uneventful 
save  for  the  daily  schedules  of  harassing  fire  and  concentrations 
by  the  artillery  and  machine  guns. 

All  the  regiments  suffered  casualties  during  the  occupa- 
tion of  the  sector.  A  single  shell  killed  two  men  and  wounded 
five  in  Battery  F,  5th  Field  Artillery,  as  it  was  leaving  its 
position. 

The  Division  was  relieved  on  the  night  of  November  20th 
and  the  artillery  as  well  as  the  infantrj'  proceeded  to  the 
Gondrecourt  Area. 
I  The  total  casualties  suffered  in  the  Sommerviller  Sector 

were  as  follows: 

Killed  or  died  of  wounds 36  men 

Wounded 1  officer,  35  men 

Prisoners 11  nien 

Total 1  officer,  82  men-^ 

Upon  returning  from  the  SommerviUer  Sector,  the  Divi- 
sion Commander  congratulated  the  troops  upon  their  behavior 
under  fire  of  the  enemy  for  the  first  time  and  summarized  their 
activities  in  the  following  General  Order: 

Headquarters,  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France,  Novemljer  23,  1917. 
General  Order 
No.  67. 

1.  The  troops  of  the  First  Division  have  completed  their  first  tour 
of  duty  at  the  front.  The  casualties  have  been  few  as  was  expected  in  a 
quiet  sector;  fourteen  killed,  thirty-four  wounded  and  eleven  captured  by 

'  Casualty  Records,  First  Division. 


MAJOR  GENERAL  WILLIAM  L.   SIBERT 
Commanding  First  Division  from  June  S,  1917,  to  December  14,  1917 


TRAIN  INC  ;35 

the  enemy.  But  the  many  discomforts,  inconveniences,  and  trials  always 
incident  to  service  at  the  front  have  iDeen  faced  in  a  fine,  uncomplaining 
spirit  which  speaks  well  for  the  soldierly  quahties  of  the  men.  The  Divi- 
sion Commander  wishes  to  congratulate  the  soldiers  of  the  Division  upon 
their  excellent  conduct  and  cheerful  demeanor  during  the  past  month  at 
the  front  and  ])articularly  during  the  long,  hard  weeks  of  preliminary 
training  in  the  cold  and  mud.  He  believes  there  are  few  occasions  in  the 
past  where  American  soldiers  have  worked  as  hard  and  have  endured  as 
cheerfully  so  many  discomforts  and  difhcidties  as  have  the  men  of  this 
Division  since  landing  in  France. 

2.  We  are  now  starting  on  the  final  period  of  training.  Weather  con- 
ditions will  make  it  a  peculiarly  hard  and  trying  one.  The  Division 
Commander  feels  that  he  can  depend  on  every  individual  soldier  to  meet 
the  situation  with  the  same  fortitude  and  resolution  which  he  has  hereto- 
fore displayed  and  to  do  his  utmost  to  bring  to  a  successful  and  speedy 
conclusion  the  preparation  of  this  command  to  take  its  place,  as  a  unit,  in 
the  first  line  in  a  manner  to  reflect  credit  and  honor  upon  our  country. 

Wm.  L.  Sibert, 
Major  General,  U.  S.  A.,  Commanding. 

TRAINING— THIRD   PERIOD 

Training  of  the  Combined  Division. — After  being  relieved 
from  the  Sommerviller  Sector,  the  Division  for  the  first  time 
was  united.  The  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  was  billeted  in 
the  Gondrecourt  Area  with  Headquarters  at  the  ancient  and 
picturesque  Chateau  de  Beaupre.  As  was  anticipated,'  it  now 
became  necessary  to  send  many  officers  from  the  Division  to 
act  as  instructors  elsewhere  and  to  meet  the  ever-gromng 
activities  of  the  A.  E.  F.  This  practice  continued  to  such 
an  extent  that  a  French  writer  has  been  led  to  describe  the 
Division  as  the  nursery  of  the  High  Command  of  the  American 
Expeditionary  Forces.  Many  new  officers  joined  and  soon 
filled  the  places  made  vacant.  Thus  early  did  the  spirit  of  the 
Division  and  its  high  standards  begin  to  take  hold  upon  its 
replacements  of  both  officers  and  men  and  to  incorporate 
them  effectually  into  the  command.  The  replacement  battal- 
ions of  all  the  regiments  arrived  from  the  United  States  at 
about  this  time  and  were  promptly  absorbed  to  fill  the  ever- 
increasing  number  of  vacancies.  The  wastage  of  war  was 
already  felt. 


36  HISTORY   OF   THK   FIRST   DIVISION 

The  change  in  the  organization  of  the  machine  gun  units 
that  had  already  been  presciibed  for  the  Division  was  now 
put  into  effect.  On  December  29th,  the  2d  Machine  Gun 
Battahon  was  organized  at  St.  Joire  from  Companies  D  and 
H,  16th  Infantry,  and  Companies  H  and  M,  18th  Infantry. 
On  January  2,  1918,  the  3d  Machine  Gun  Battahon  was 
organized  at  St.  Joire  from  Companies  D  and  H,  26th  Infantry, 
and  Companies  H  and  M,  28th  Infantry. 

With  keenness  of  vision.  General  Pershing  had  seen  that 
trench  warfare  must  end  before  victory  could  be  achieved. 
He,  therefore,  decided  that  the  final  training  of  his  divisions 
should  be  for  open  warfare.  The  schedule  began  ^^'ith  battalion 
and  regimental  exercises  and  progressed  to  the  operations  of 
the  Division.  Throughout,  the  infantry,  the  machine  guns, 
the  artillery,  the  engineers,  the  signal  troops,  the  services  and 
the  trains  were  employed  in  close  co-operation,  each  function- 
ing to  meet  the  conditions  of  the  maneuver.  There  was  thus 
formed  a  close  bond  between  all  arms  that  became  a  powerful 
factor  for  success  in  subsequent  operations.  J 

The  larger  problems  were  conducted  on  the  "Washington 
Center"  positions.  In  order  to  participate  in  them,  the  troops 
from  the  distant  parts  of  the  area  marched  to  the  billets  of 
those  who  were  near  the  training  ground  and  doubled  up  with 
them  during  the  nights  preceding  and  following  the  maneuvers. 
All  troops  appeared  in  heavy  marching  order.  In  the  attacks, 
the  infantry  regiments  were  formed  in  depth  with  machine 
guns,  automatic  rifles,  37-mm.  guns  and  trench  mortars  dis- 
posed in  the  prescribed  manner.  The  field  artillery  simulated 
fire  for  destruction  and  concentrations,  and  during  the  assault 
the  guns  delivered  counter-battery  fire  and  the  rolling  barrage 
from  tables  accurately  prepared  to  meet  the  assumed  enemy's 
dispositions  given  in  the  intelligence  reports.  The  engineers 
and  the  signal  troops  performed  their  assigned  parts  and 
aeroplanes  were  present  to  give  realism  and  to  furnish  assumed 
information.  The  ammunition  and  supply  services  and  the 
field  hospitals  had  their  assigned  stations  and  duties.  All 
methods  of  communication  were  employed  and  many  miles 
of  telephone  wire  were  laid  with  central  stations  and  switch- 


LIEUTENANT  GENERAL  ROBERT  L.  BULLARD 
Commanding  First  Division  from  December  14,  1917,  to  July  17,  1918 


TRAINING  39 

board  installations.  Posts  of  command  were  established  and 
organized  as  in  real  operations.  The  staff  work  was  extensive 
and  involved  not  only  the  preparation  of  orders  preliminary 
to  the  operation,  but  the  constant  issuing  of  orders  to  meet 
assumed  situations  during  the  progress  of  the  maneuver.  It 
was  inspiring  to  see  the  Division  in  battle  formation,  stretch- 
ing away  over  a  front  of  more  than  two  thousand  meters,  and 
a  depth  of  more  than  three  thousand  meters.  Everyone  was 
so  intent  and  so  earnest  that  the  troops  gave  the  impression 
of  reality  in  the  conduct  of  their  movements  and  in  the  execu- 
tion of  then-  missions.  The  great  lesson  learned  from  these 
exercises  was  troop  leading  in  all  grades  of  command,  and  the 
officers  profited  especially  from  them.  So  evident  was  their 
purpose  that  on  one  occasion  a  soldier  who  was  marching  to 
an  exercise  said  to  his  comrade  in  ranks,  "I  wish  we  could  get 
through  educating  these  officers." 

On  a  maneuver  day,  troops  would  leave  their  billets  dur- 
ing the  night  and  hundreds  of  men  with  their  officers  would 
be  at  the  positions  in  the  darkness  unreeling  telephone  lines, 
setting  up  wireless  stations,  placing  panels  for  the  aeroplane 
signals  and  organizing  command  posts  for  the  different  head- 
quarters. Dawn  disclosed  long  columns  of  artillery  with  the 
horses  straining  up  the  steep  hills  or  slipping  and  falling  on  the 
frozen  and  sleet-covered  roads.  Then  would  appear  the 
masses  of  infantry  moving  silently  and  grimly  as  though  con- 
scious that  the  fate  of  the  "battle"  depended  upon  their 
arrival.  Staff  officers,  mounted  or  in  cars,  moved  constantly, 
and  the  discipline  of  the  road,  which  permitted  passage  in  both 
directions,  was  thoroughly  acquired.  Often  a  gas  alarm  and 
clouds  of  low-lying  smoke  to  imitate  gas  would  compel  every- 
one to  put  on  the  gas  mask  as  though  his  life  depended  upon 
speed.  At  the  end  of  a  maneuver  the  men,  wet,  cold  and  tired, 
would  trudge  to  their  billets  where  the  smoking,  rolling  kitch- 
ens would  provide  them  with  the  only  hot  meal  of  the  day. 
After  a  brief  critique  at  some  convenient  village  in  which  the 
purpose  of  the  maneuver  and  the  manner  in  which  it  was 
accomplished  was  explained  by  a  staff  officer,  the  officers 
would  hasten  to  their  commands  and  endeavor  to  obtain  such 


40  HISTORY  OF   'J^H1<:   FIRST   DIVISION 

comforts  and  care  as  were  possible  for  their  men  and  animals. 
During  this  period,  the  Commander-in-Chief  was  a  frequent 
visitor  and  there  were  ceaseless  inspections  by  staff  officers 
from  G.  H.  Q.  and  by  American  officers  of  high  rank  who  came 
to  the  Division  from  America,  as  observers. 

The  campaign  hat  was  permanently  abandoned  at  this 
time,  and  the  steel  helmet,  which  had  first  been  worn  in  the 
Sommerviller  Sector,  was  issued  for  wear  at  all  combat 
exercises.  The  overseas  cap  was  supplied  for  use  at  other 
times.  The  steel  helmet  and  overseas  cap  were  made  in  France 
and  later  issued  to  all  troops  upon  their  arrival. 

Christmas  in  France. — As  Christmas  approached,  the 
holiday  spirit  became  general.  The  American  officers  and 
soldiers  determined  to  make  it  a  happy  occasion  for  the  French 
children  who  had  known  no  brightness  since  the  war  began. 
Accordingly,  in  every  village  occupied  by  troops  plans  were 
made  for  Christmas  trees  and  for  presents  and  merry-making. 
The  men  sent  to  Paris,  and  they  drained  the  village  stores  for 
presents  and  decorations,  and  they  bought  all  the  candy, 
cakes  and  chocolate  that  could  be  found  in  the  commissaries. 
The  different  billets  vied  with  each  other  in  ornamenting  their 
trees,  and  visitors  were  invited  to  see  the  masterpieces  which, 
with  sparkling  eyes,  the  particular  patron,  whether  private 
or  general,  would  dilate  upon  with  refreshing  enthusiasm. 
The  happiness  of  giving  was  no  less  than  that  of  receiving,  and 
its  measure  was  the  bright  faces  and  the  shouts  of  laughter  of 
the  French  children.  So  impressed  were  the  French  people 
that  the  Mayor  of  Gondrecourt  wrote  the  following  letter  to 
express  their  gratitude: 

MAIRIE  DE  GONDRECOURT 
Departement 

de  LA  MEUSE  Gondrecourt,  December  25,  1917. 

Arrondissement 
de  COMMERCY 

It  is  with  the  deepest  feeling;s  of  patriotism  that  I  come  to  express 
to  you  my  thankfuhiess  for  the  kind  entertainment  given  by  the  American 
troops  of  Gondrecourt  to  the  chikiren  of  this  town. 

These  tokens  of  deep  sympathy,  which  officers  and  men  alike  lavish 
on  the  French  people,  are  most  deeply  felt. 


TRAINING  41 

Never,  perhaps,  have  such  bonds  been  obtained  between  two  nations. 

I  request,  sir,  that  you  will  convey  to  the  officers  and  men  under 
your  command  the  expression  of  my  gratitude  and  admiration,  and  tender 
my  best  thanks  especially  to  all  those  who  contributed  to  these  festivities. 

It  was,  indeed,  a  feast  of  two  great  families,  and,  as  it  were,  a  foretaste 
of  the  victory  which  the  high  spirits  of  the  American  Army  will  contribute 
to  bring  to  a  closer  reality. 

(Signed)     Jacquinot. 

Ready. — By  January  5th  the  last  of  the  training  was 
ended  and  the  Division  was  pronounced  quahfied  to  take  its 
place  in  the  line  as  a  combat  unit,  able  to  stand  alone.  Con- 
fidential orders  were  received  designating  it  to  relieve  the 
1st  Moroccan  Division  in  the  Ansauville  Sector  north  of  Toul.^ 
The  staff  formulated  orders  and  reconnaissance  parties  left  to 
prepare  for  the  movement  of  the  troops  and  their  entry  into 
the  sector.  At  last,  America  was  to  make  itself  felt  in  the 
line  of  battle,  more  than  nine  months  after  the  declaration  of 
Warr  Thus  was  disclosed  the  fallacy  of  a  nation's  dream, 
that  a  million  men  could  spring  to  arms  before  the  setting  of 
the  sun. 


•Operations  Section,  Instructions  No.  1,  First  Division,  January  7,  1918. 


CHAPTER   III 

THE   ANSAUVILLE  SECTOR 

Entry  into  the  Sector. — Soon  after  arriving  in  France  in 
June  of  1917,  the  Commander-in-Chief  saw  that  the  most 
vital  part  of  the  enemy's  front  for  an  American  objective  lay 
toward  Metz.  An  advance  in  this  direction  would  involve  the 
reduction  of  the  St.  ^lihiel  SaUent.  It  would  lead  ultimately 
to  the  capture  of  the  great  fortress  of  Metz  and  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  enemy's  communication  by  the  railroad  to  the 
'\\'estward  through  Sedan,  upon  which  the  enemy  depended 
for  the  movement  of  troops,  supplies  and  munitions.  It  would 
also  deprive  the  enemy  of  the  valuable  iron  mines  at  Briey, 
upon  which  he  depended  for  his  munitions  industries.'  The 
American  lines  of  communication  were  selected  with  this  end 
in  view,  and  the  location  of  the  Gondrecourt  Training  Area 
conformed  to  the  general  plan.  It  was  logical,  therefore,  that 
the  First  American  Division  should  begin  its  active  career 
by  taking  over  a  sector  in  this  front. 

iThe  Ansauville  Sector  was  located  about  twenty-five 
kilometers  northwest  of  Toul  (Map  III).  It  occupied  a  front 
of  seven  and  one-half  kilometers  and  extended  from  the  east 
of  Seicheprey  to  Bouconville.  Opposite  stood  the  picturesque 
liill  of  Mont  Sec,  which  rose  to  a  height  of  nearly  four  hundred 
feet  above  the  surrounding  plain  and  from  whose  summit  the 
enemy  could  look  down  upon  every  movement  behind  the 
French  lines  for  several  miles.  In  front  stretched  the  great 
Woevre  Plain,  dotted  with  villages,  forests  and  ravines  which 
afforded  abundant  cover  for  the  enemy's  batteries,  billets 
and  rest  camps.  The  German  lines  opposite  the  sector  were 
held  by  the  oth  Landwehr  Division,  with  the  201st  Division 
on  its  right  and  the  78th  Reserve  Division  on  its  left.'  The 
Rupt  de  Mad,  a  small  stream,  ran  along  a  part  of  no-man's- 
land,   and   its  high   banks   were   covered   with   the   enemy's 


'  Final  Report,  Commander-in-Chief,  .\.  E.  F. 
2  German  Order  of  Battle,  O.  H.  Q. 

(42) 


THE  ANSAUVILLE  SECTOR  43 

trenches  and  machine  gun  pill-boxes.  At  some  points  the 
two  Hnes  were  not  more  than  fifty  yards  apart.  The  ground 
along  the  French  front  lines  was  so  low  that  only  shallow 
trenches  could  be  dug  and  these  were  largely  filled  with  water. 
A  ridge  about  a  mile  behind  the  front  line,  along  which  ran 
the  St.  Dizier-Metz  highwaj'  through  Beaumont,  was  the 
salient  feature  of  the  sector,  and  about  it  plans  for  the  defense 
centered.  The  position  had  been  established  when  the  Ger- 
mans retired  in  1914,  and  during  the  early  part  of  the  war  it 
had  seen  very  hard  fighting,  as  was  attested  by  the  numerous 
graves  and  the  bones  which  had  been  torn  up  from  their  resting 
places  by  the  bursting  shells.  During  the  three  and  one-half 
years  of  occupancy  it  had  been  strengthened  by  both  sides 
with  a  series  of  trenches  and  wire  entanglements,  organized 
in  great  depth,  so  as  to  give  a  maximum  of  protection.  Bat- 
tery positions  with  several  feet  of  overhead  cover  for  guns  and 
deep  dug-outs  for  the  men  had  been  constructed  in  the  depres- 
sions and  behind  the  villages  in  the  sector.  Extensive  wooded 
areas  afforded  concealment  for  the  heavy  gims  and  for  a 
small  amount  of  circulation  by  day. 

I^The  1st  Moroccan  Division,  occupying  this  sector,  was 
one  of  the  most  celebrated  in  the  French  Army.  Just  before 
its  relief  by  the  First  American  Division,  it  had  executed  a 
raid  in  force  on  the  German  lines  and  had  succeeded  in  taking 
a  number  of  prisoners  besides  inflicting  considerable  loss  upon 
the  enemy.  Thus,  a  score  remained  to  be  settled  and  the 
new  occupants  were  destined  to  bear  the  brunt  of  payment.  / 
The  69th  French  Division  occupied  the  adjoining  sector  on 
the  right  and  it  was  designated  by  the  French  Command  to 
supervise  the  relief  and  to  establish  the  Americans  in  the 
sector.  Conferences  were  held  by  the  staffs  and  elements  of 
the  69th  Division  and  the  1st  Moroccan  Division,  with  corre- 
sponding staffs,  and  advance  parties  of  the  First  American 
Division  and  all  details  were  carefully  embodied  in  orders. 
The  First  Division  was  to  march  to  the  rear  area  of  the  sector 
and  the  actual  entry  into  the  lines  was  to  be  executed  at  night 
immediately  after  its  arrival. 

j  On  January  15th,  the  First  Division  (less  the  2d  Infantry 


44  HISTORY  OF  THE   FII{ST  DIVISION 

Brigade,  the  3d  Battalion,  5tli  Field  Artillery,  and  the  1st 
Battalion,  7th  Field  Artillery)  began  the  march  from  the 
Gondrecourt  Area.^  No  one  present  ever  forgot  the  rigors  of 
that  day.  The  roads  were  covered  with  snow  and  ice.  Toward 
noon  a  heavy  rain  set  in  and  turned  into  sleet.  The  men  were 
loaded  with  their  heavy  packs,  consisting  of  two  blankets, 
emergency  rations,  shelter  tent  half,  extra  shoes,  underwear, 
mess  equipment,  and  entrenching  tools,  in  addition  to  the  rifle, 
bayonet,  steel  helmet,  two  gas  masks  and  full  ammunition 
belt.  The  heavy  rain  drenched  them  and  increased  the 
weight  of  their  load.  The  wet  skirts  of  their  long  overcoats 
clung  to  their  legs  and  impeded  their  movements.  Only  a 
sandwich  could  be  supplied  for  the  noon  meal  and  hunger 
added  to  the  pain  of  the  weary  men. 

[The  artillery  and  trains  experienced  the  greatest  difficulty 
from  the  beginning.  The  horses  could  not  keep  their  footing 
on  the  icy  roads  and  often  an  entire  team  would  fall.  When 
they  were  unable  to  move  the  guns  and  the  heavy  loads  up 
the  steep  hills,  the  men  were  compelled  to  assist  them.  The 
spirit  of  the  Division,  however,  asserted  itself,  and  everyone 
accepted  uncomplainingly  the  hardships  and  the  fatigue. 
By  nightfall  the  different  units  had  reached  the  villages 
assigned  as  their  billets.  Some  of  the  infantry  regiments  had 
covered  as  much  as  thirty-two  kilometers,  which  would  have 
been  a  long  march  under  favorable  conditions.  The  next 
day's  march  was  a  repetition  of  the  experiences  of  the  first, 
but  it  brought  the  Division  into  the  billeting  area  of  the  sector. 
On  January  18th  the  Division  Headquarters  and  the  last  of 
the  column  left  Gondrecourt  and  headquarters  was  installed 
at  Mesnil-la-Tour. 

In  the  meantime,  detachments  from  all  the  companies 
of  the  2d  Field  Signal  Battalion  were  engaged  in  taking  over 
the  lines  of  information  installed  by  the  French.  These  were 
wholly  inadequate  to  the  needs  of  the  Americans.  It  was, 
indeed,  a  problem  of  preparing  these  lines  for  an  entirely  new 
sector,  since  the  arrangements  and  boundaries  were  not  the 
same  as  those  in   existence  with   the   Moroccan   Division. 

'  Instructions  No.  1,  First  Division,  1918. 


Upper:  Positions  of  7th  F.  A.  along  Beaumont  road,  France,  February  26,  1918. 
Lower:  First  Division  "dough  boys"  in  trenches,  Ansauville  Sector,  Prance. 


4(j  HISTORY  OF   THE   FIRST    DIVISION 

Division  Headquarters  alone  required  a  forty-drop  switch- 
board and  many  lines  to  the  various  staff  offices.  An  axial 
Jine  was  constructed  to  the  front  and  all  brigade,  regimental 
and  battalion  posts  of  command  were  connected  with  the 
system.  Wireless  sets  were  also  employed  at  the  higher  head- 
quarters. As  soon  as  possible,  a  Ustening-in  set  was  installed 
to  catch  the  enemy's  conversation. 

On  the  night  of  Januarj'  ISth,  the  1st  Brigade  l:)egan  to 
enter  the  line  and  the  relief  of  the  Moroccans  was  completed 
on  January  21st.  The  3d  Battalion,  18th  Infantry,  was  on 
the  right  of  the  line  and  held  what  w^as  termed  the  "F"  center 
of  resistance,  with  battalion  headquarters  at  Seicheprey.  The 
3d  Battalion,  16th  Infantry,  occupied  the  center  of  the  line 
in  the  "H"  center  of  resistance,  with  battalion  headcjuarters 
near  Xivray-Marvoisin,  and  the  1st  Battalion,  16th  Infantry, 
occupied  the  left  of  the  line  in  the  "I"  center  of  resistance, 
v/ith  headquarters  at  Bouconville.  Each  center  of  resistance 
was  subdivided  into  three  strong  points  held  Ijy  a  company- 
each.  The  remaining  company  of  each  battalion  was  in  sup- 
port near  battalion  headquarters.  The  remaining  battalions 
of  the  brigade  occupied  reserve  positions  until  Februarj'^  1st, 
when  they  relieved  the  front  line  battalions.  The  2d  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  accompanied  the  1st  Brigade  and  occupied 
positions  along  the  front  with  the  guns  distributed  in  depth. 
Thereafter  the  battalion  machine  gim  companies  alternated 
with  the  regimental  machine  gun  companies  in  occupying  front 
Une  positions.  The  headquarters  of  the  16th  Infantry  was  at 
Rambucourt,  the  headquarters  of  the  18th  Infantry  was  at 
Beaumont  and  the  headquarters  of  the  1st  Infantry  Brigade- 
was  at  Ansauville. 

In  order  that  a  portion  of  the  guns  should  be  ready  at 
any  instant  to  fire  for  the  protection  of  the  infantiy,  the  artil- 
lery entered  the  positions  by  platoons.  Commencing  on  the 
night  of  January  22d,  the  artillery  relief  was  completed  Jan- 
uary 26th.  The  5th  Field  Artillery  was  disposed  with  the  1st 
Battalion  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Foret  de  la  Reine,  one 
battery  of  the  2d  Battalion  east  of  Beaumont  and  one  midway 
between  Beaumont  and  Rambucourt.     On  February  14th, 


THE   ANSAUVILLE   SErT(^R  47 

tlie  3d  Battalion  arrived  ;uid  look  positions  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  Foret  de  la  Reine  along  the  Route  de  I'Etoile.  The 
6th  Field  Artillery  occupied  old  French  battery  positions 
northeast  of  Mandres.  The  2d  Battalion,  7th  Field  Artillery, 
took  over  the  French  positions  near  Rambucourt,  where  it 
was  joined  February  13th  by  the  1st  Battalion.  Several 
batteries  of  French  Field  Artillery  were  left  in  the  sector  initil 
the  arrival  of  the  last  of  the  American  guns.  In  addition  to 
the  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  three  batteries  of  old  model 
French  90-mm.  guns  were  manned  by  details  from  the  Amer- 
ican batteries.  The  headquarters  of  the  5th  Field  Artillery 
was  located  with  the  headquarters  of  the  1st  Field  Artillery 
Brigade  at  Mesnil-la-Tour.  The  headquarters  of  the  6th 
Field  Artillery  was  at  Ansauville  and  the  headquarters  of  the 
7th  Field  Artillery  at  Mandres.  Ai'tillery  lines  of  informa- 
tion were  established  to  all  posts  of  command,  battery  positions 
and  forward  positions,  independent  of  the  system  of  the  signal 
troops.  There  were  thus  virtually  two  telephone  nets  operat- 
ing separately,  but  connected  through  the  different  switch- 
boards. 

The  1st  Trench  Mortar  Battery  was  posted  in  the  Bois 
de  Remieres,  about  six  hundred  meters  from  the  German  front 
line.  The  1st  Engineers  entered  upon  the  work  of  constructing 
dug-outs,  posts  of  command  and  wire  entanglements,  quarry- 
ing rock  and  repairing  the  roads.  The  important  task 
of  organizing  Seicheprey  into  a  "strong  point"  with  all  the 
elements  of  defense  was  performed  by  the  engineers  while  the 
town  was  being  regularly  shelled  and  gassed.  The  ammuni- 
tion and  supply  trains  were  employed,  not  only  in  the  service 
of  munitions  and  supply,  but  in  hauling  materials  for  the 
repair  and  construction  of  roads  and  of  ammunition  and  supply 
dumps.  The  Military  Police  Companies  were  occupied  with 
traffic  control  and  the  Headquarters  Troop  devoted  itself  to 
the  service  of  the  Division  Headquarters.  The  1st  Mobile 
Ordnance  Repair  Shop  was  established  at  Royaumeix  and 
functioned  with  the  French  repair  shop  in  the  upkeep  of 
artillery  materiel. 

The  1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion  entered  the  sector  the 


48  HISTOHY   OF   THE   FIRST    DIVISION 

middle  of  February  and  k(>{)t  oiu;  conii)any  in  line  and  one  in 
reserve,  the  two  companies  alternating  every  seven  days. 

The  French  High  Command  did  not  deem  it  \vise  to  place 
the  responsibility  for  the  defense  of  the  sector  entirely  in  the 
hands  of  the  Americans  until  the  troops  had  become  accus- 
tomed to  sector  life.  Although  no  French  elements  remained 
except  a  few  batteries  of  artillery,  the  command  was  I'etained 
by  the  Commanding  General  of  the  69th  French  Division 
until  February  5th,  when  it  passed  to  the  Commander  of  the 
First  Division. 

One  of  the  first  acts  of  the  Division  Commander  was  to 
publish  the  following  memorable  Instructions  No.  1,  wliich 
had  an  instant  response  from  the  troops : 

Headquarters,  First  Division, 
February  5,  1918. 

1.  There  are  no  orders  which  require  us  to  wait  for  the  eneiuy  to 
fire  on  us  before  we  fire  on  hiin;  do  not  wait  for  hmi  to  fii'e  first.  Be  active 
all  over  no-man's-land;   do  not  leave  its  control  to  the  enemy. 

2.  Front  line  commanders  will  innncdiately  locate  and  report  all 
places  where  there  is  a  favorable  opportunity  for  strong  ambuscades  and 
for  raids  on  the  enemy's  lines  and  advance  posts. 

R.    L.    BULLARD, 

Major  General,  N.  A., 
CommaiidinR. 

During  the  occupancy  of  this  sector  the  Division  was 
often  visited  by  General  Debeney,  who  commanded  the  First 
French  Army,  and  General  Passaga,  who  commanded  the 
32d  Corps,  of  which  the  First  Division  formed  a  part.  Tliey 
and  their  staff  officers  took  the  most  fraternal  interest  in  the 
Division  and  gave  many  helpful  suggestions  as  to  the  defense 
of  the  sector.  To  them  and  to  General  Monroe,  who  com- 
manded the  69th  Division,  the  Americans  were  indebted  for 
much  of  the  success  that  attended  their-  occupancy. 

Field  Hospital  No.  13  accompanied  the  troops  to  Mesnil- 
la-Tour,  where  it  took  over  the  French  Adrian  barrack  hospital 
and  treated  all  casualties.  Ambulance  Comi)any  No.  13 
accompanied  it  and  operated  from  Mesnil-la-Toiu",  furnishing 
details   of   litter   bearers  for  service  in  the  trenches.     Field 


Winter — Seicheprey 


THE  ANSAUVI'LLE  SECTOR  49 

Hospital  No.  12  proceeded  on  January  21st  to  Sebastopol, 
near  Toul,  and  established  a  reserve  hospital.  At  the  same 
time,  Ambulance  Company  No.  12  took  over  the  service  of 
the  Gondi-ecourt  Area.  On  February  6th,  Field  Hospital 
No.  12  was  relieved  at  Sebastopol  and  occupied  several  large 
buildings  at  Toul,  where  it  received  the  severely  wounded. 
It  was  served  by  portions  of  Ambulance  Companies  Nos.  3 
and  13. 

Field  Hospital  No.  2  proceeded  to  Toul,  February  18th, 
and  estabhshed  a  contagious  disease  annex  to  Field  Hospital 
No.  12.  Field  Hospital  No.  3  functioned  at  Gondrecourt. 
Ambulance  Company  No.  2  moved  to  Mandres  on  Februarj^ 
28th,  where  it  operated  an  advance  dressing  station  and  fur- 
nished litter  bearers  to  the  trenches.  On  March  21st,  Ambu- 
lance Company  No.  12  relieved  Ambulance  Company  No. 
13  at  Mesnil-la-Tour.  Ambulance  Company  No.  3  operated 
from  Mandres,  where  it  maintained  an  advance  dressing 
station  and  furnished  litter  bearers  to  the  trenches.  The  town 
was  often  shelled  and  the  station  received  a  direct  hit  on 
March  28th.  It  operated  for  the  26th  Division  from  April 
1st  to  4th.  In  the  meantime  all  sanitary  units  became  motor- 
ized, except  Field  Hospitals  Nos.  2  and  3  and  Ambulance 
Company  No.  2. 

I  Life  in  the  Sector. — This  portion  of  the  front  had  been 
regarded  as  quiet  and  troops  had  been  sent  here  by  both  sides 
for  rest  and  recuperation.  The  First  Division,  however,  found 
it  neither  quiet  nor  restful.  The  weather  was  cold,  with  fre- 
quent heavy  rains.  The  roads  soon  became  sloughs,  and  the 
country,  a  mire.  Rubber  boots  were  issued  for  the  trenches 
and  emplacements,  and  the  men  wore  them  constantly.  The 
ground  was  so  low  and  marshy  that  on  the  sunniest  days  there 
was  mud  under  foot  and  both  infantry  and  engineers  were 
employed  in  repairing  existing  trenches  and  constructing  new 
defenses.  A  rearrangement  to  organize  the  entire  front  in 
depth  was  in  progress,  preparatory  to  an  expected  German 
offensive,  and  the  Division  dug  trenches,  established  strong 
points,  constructed  wire  obstacles  and  built  new  communica- 
tions back  of  the  front  line,  i 


Upper:  Machinp  Run  at  Villers-TourncUi'  firing  at  German  aeroplanes. 
Lower:  Reading  the  welcome  letter  from  home  at  entrance  to  clug-out. 


THE  ANSAUVILLE  SECTOR  51 

The  Field  Artillery  Brigade  and  the  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talions were  equally  busy  in  improving  old  emplacements 
and  in  constructing  new  ones  in  conformity  with  the  modified 
plan  of  defense.  For  the  artillery  this  involved  placing  the 
guns  in  great  depth.  Batteries  and  even  platoons  were 
echeloned  two  or  three  kilometers  apart  and  complete  plans 
were  formulated  for  individual  action  at  each  position  in 
case  communications  were  interrupted.  The  doctrine  of 
fighting  in  place  was  inculcated  among  all  troops  in  position 
and  every  element  of  the  defense  was  to  become  a  barrier  in 
case  of  a  hostile  attack.  At  the  same  time,|a  determined  effort 
was  made  by  all  mounted  organizations  to  improve  the  con- 
dition of  the  animals.  They  Avere  so  reduced,  however,  by 
exposure  and  lack  of  food  that  little  progress  could  be  made  in 
conditioning  them. 

I  There  was  cofitinual  rifle  and  machine  gun  fire  on  the 
front  and  daily  artillery  fire  over  the  whole  sector,  from  which 
casualties  resulted.  Patrolling  became  very  active  and  each 
side  contended  for  the  mastery  of  no-man's-land. J  Earlj^  in 
the  occupancy  of  the  sector,  a  patrol  of  the  16th  Infantry  was 
ambushed  one  night  and  had  five  men  killed  and  several 
wounded.  Many  acts  of  gallantry  were  reported  and  it  was 
here  that  the  first  of  the  Division  citations  was  published. 

The  evacuation  of  the  wounded  was  accomplished  under 
difficulties.  Frequently  it  was  necessary  to  carry  litter  patients 
a  distance  of  one  or  two  kilometers  through  the  slippery 
trenches,  often  knee-deep  in  mud  and  water.  As  the  days 
passed,  the  cemeteries  at  Mandres  and  Mesnil-la-Tour,  with 
their  white  crosses,  grew  rapidly,  and  graves  were  always 
open  to  receive  the  next  to  fall.  J  The  Field  Hospitals  at 
Mesnil-la-Tour  and  the  Evacuation  Hospital  at  Sebastopol 
were  constantly  receiving  the  wounded  and  evacuating  such 
as  could  be  moved. 

[Several  hundred  shells  of  all  calibers  fell  daily  in  the 
American  sector  and  an  ecjual  or  a  greater  number  was  fired 
by  the  American  batteries.  The  enemy's  aeroplanes  were 
active  and  sometimes  directed  fire  for  destruction  against  the 
American  batteries  in  which  four  to  five  hundred  heavy  shells 


52  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

would  be  dropped  in  a  few  hours  upon  a  battery  position. 
French  planes  assisted  the  American  batteries  in  adjustment 
fire  and  in  fire  for  destruction  against  the  enemy's  positions. 
Frequent  night  bombing  expeditions  bj^  the  enemy  I  passed 
over  the  sector  and  some  of  the  heaviest  bombs  were  dropped 
near  the  Headquarters  of  the  Division  at  Mesnil-la-Tour. 
Battery  positions  in  crowded  areas  were  often  gassed,  and | on 
February  26th  the  enemy  delivered  a  heavy  gas  attack  on  the 
Remieres  wood,  which  caused  a  number  of  casualties.  The 
suddenness  and  the  violence  of  the  attack,  coupled  with  the 
overwhelming  fumes  of  the  gas,  were  even  more  horrifying 
than  the  raid  at  Bathelemont,  but  the  Americans  were  learning 
rapidly  the  German  methods  of  frightfulness. 

During  this  period  many  officers  from  the  different  head- 
quarters and  from  the  United  States  visited  the  Division  for 
instruction  and  observation.  Prominent  French  officers  and 
civilians,  including  the  Prime  Minister,  also  came  to  observe 
the  Division,  and,  on  March  20th,  the  Honorable  Newton  D. 
Baker,  Secretary  of  War,  reviewed  the  1st  Battalion,  26th 
Infantry.  Later  he  reviewed  the  1st  Infantry  Brigade  at 
Menancourt. 

Raids. — The  defenses  of  each  side  were  so  strong  that 
in  order  to  cross  them  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  prisoners 
and  information  it  was  necessary  to  make  a  strong  assault 
upon  a  small  section  of  the  trench  system.  These  assaults  were 
of  common  occurrence  and  took  the  name  of  raids.  They  were 
developed  to  a  high  degree  of  perfection,  and  picked  officers 
and  troops  were  selected  to  execute  them.  Not  only  great 
skill  and  daring  were  required,  but  it  was  necessary  to  carry 
out  every  detail  with  thoroughness  and  in  accordance  with 
methods  that  were  the  result  of  experience  and  costly  sacri- 
fices. The  enemy  maintained  bodies  of  raiding  troops  who 
specialized  in  the  artj  The  French  had  officers  who  were 
especially  skilled  in  organizing  and  in  planning  raids,  and  the 
1st  Moroccan  Division  had  a  reputation  for  success  in  this 
feat\ire  of  trench  warfare. 

The  general  form  of  raid  involved  a  short  preliminary 
artiriery  and  machine  gim  fire  for  destruction  upon  the  enemy's 


UKNEKAL   DEBEXEY 

The  Commander  of  the  First  French  Army  and  a  leader  of  the  first  magnitude,  to  whom 

the  First  Division  is  under  lasting  obligations 


THE  ANSAUVILLE   SECTOR  55 

trenches,  machine  guns  and  artillery  to  silence  them.  Then 
the  fire  would  be  shifted  so  that  the  bursting  shells  and  bullets 
would  fall  on  three  sides  of  the  trench  area  to  be  raided  to 
prevent  the  occupants  from  escaping  and  the  supporting 
troops  from  coming  to  their  assistance  This  inclosure  of 
fire  was  called  a  "box-barrage."  Under  its  cover,  the  raiding 
party  would  dash  forward  in  well-practiced  formations  and 
if  the  artillery  fire  had  not  previously  cut  the  enemy's  wire, 
engineers,  especially  trained  for  this  purpose,  would  blow  it 
open  by  long  tubes  filled  with  high  explosive.  After  passing 
the  enemy's  wire,  the  raiding  party  would  proceed  in  small 
detachments  to  the  portions  of  the  enemy's  trenches  where  it 
was  expected  that  prisoners,  machine  guns  or  information  could 
be  obtained.  When  their  mission  was  accomplished,  the 
raiders  would  dash  back  to  their  own  lines  and  the  artillery 
and  machine  gun  fire  would  assume  the  most  appropriate  form 
to  protect  them.  It  was  a  stirring  drama,  and  the  entire 
command  would  be  tense  with  anxiety  till  the  results  were 
reported. 

I^The  First  Division  had  not  long  been  in  the  sector  before 
plans  were  considered  for  such  a  raid.  J  Officers  from  the 
1st  Moroccan  Division,  who  were  raiding  specialists,  were 
detailed  to  the  regiments  to  assist  in  preparing  i^lans  to  suit 
the  situation.  Some  of  the  American  officers  had  served  in 
the  British  Army  and  had  gained  considerable  knowledge  and 
experience  in  raiding.  Numerous  conferences  were  held,  at 
which  the  artillery  and  the  machine  gun  officers  were  present, 
and  there  resulted  plans  for  two  raids  to  be  executed  simul- 
taneously, at  1 :  00  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  day  to  be 
selected.  The  raid  in  front  of  the  18th  Infantry  was  to  be 
made  from  the  Remieres  wood  again.^it  the  enemy's  trenches, 
which  were  not  more  than  fifty  yards  away.  The  raid  by 
the  16th  Infantry  was  to  be  against  the  destroyed  village  of 
Richecourt,  in  front  of  which  the  lines  were  less  than  one 
hundred  paces  from  each  other.  Volunteers  were  many,  and 
officers  antl  men  foj-  each  raiding  party  were  selected  and  sent 
to  the  billets  in  the  Foret  de  Rehane  for  instruction  and  prac- 
tice.   From  aeroplane  photographs  and  from  ground  observa- 


56  HISTORY   OF    J'HE   FIRST   DIVISION 

tion,  an  accurate  knowledge  was  obtained  of  the  enemy's 
trench  organizations  at  these  points.  A  simulated  trench  sys- 
tem of  each  place  was  constructed,  and  daily  the  men  went 
through  the  rehearsal  of  their  parts  with  the  precision  of  a 
football  practice.  Detachments  of  the  1st  Engineers  were 
attached  to  the  raiding  parties  to  blow  gaps  in  the  enemy's 
wire.  At  a  portion  of  the  rehearsals,  these  detachments  would 
creep  up  to  the  wire  in  front  of  the  practice  trenches  and 
destroy  sections  as  they  would  be  expected  to  do  in  the  raid. 
The  progress  was  such  that  the  morning  of  March  4th  was 
selected  to  put  the  raids  into  execution. 

As  often  happens  in  war,  the  enemy  was  planning  a  similar 
blow,  and  by  chance  he  had  selected  an  earlier  date  than  the 
one  scheduled  by  the  Division.  His  intentions,  however,  did 
not  escape  notice.  The  gas  attack  of  February  26th  on  the 
Remieres  wood  and  his  continued  registration  and  fire  upon 
battery  positions  throughout  February  26th,  27th  and  28th, 
gave  warning  of  a  probable  raid  against  that  portion  of  the 
sector.  Orders  were,  therefore,  given  for  the  18th  Infantry  to 
draw  back  on  these  nights  from  the  front  line  positions,  leav- 
ing only  small  groups  in  observation,  and  to  reoccupy  the 
front  lines  at  daylight  each  morning.  lAt  5:30  a.  m.  on  March 
1st  there  suddenly  came  down  upon  the  right  sub-sector,  held 
by  the  18th  Infantry,  a  tornado  of  bursting  shell  and  bullets 
and  every  battery  was  deluged  with  high  explosive  shell  and 
mustard  gas.  To  divert  attention  from  the  point  raided,  the 
entire  front  line  was  heavily  shelled.  Mingled  mth  the  crash- 
ing 150-mm.  and  210-mm.  projectiles,  were  numerous  large 
trench  mortar  shells  whose  effect  was  terrific.  Trenches, 
parapets,  shelters  and  emplacements  were  demolished.  Some 
of  them  were  so  completely  obliterated  that  they  were  never 
rebuilt.  One  platoon  had  returned  to  its  front  hne  position 
and  was  caught  by  the  German  box -barrage.  The  raiding 
party,  consisting  of  two  hundred  and  twenty  men,  taken  from 
shock  troops  and  provided  with  light  machine  guns  and  flame- 
throwers, rushed  over  the  little  band  of  Americans,  who  suffered 
a  loss  of  twenty  killed  and  twelve  prisoners,  besides  a  number 
of  wounded.     At  the  first  signal  of  the  enemy's  attack  the 


THE  ANSAUVILLE  SECTOR  57 

American  artillery  opened  fire,  despite  the  heavy  shelling  to 
which  the  guns  were  subjected.  The  infantry  and  machine 
gunners  also  repUed  from  their  retired  positions.  As  a  result, 
both  of  the  German  officers  with  the  raiding  party  and  seven- 
teen men  were  killed  and  four  men  were  taken  prisoners. 
Deserters  and  prisoners  subsequently  reported  that  the  total 
loss  of  the  raiding  party  amounted  to  eighty-three.  Upon 
withdrawing,  they  abandoned  one  machine  gun  and  quantities 
of  hand  grenades  and  explosives.  That  night,  four  flame- 
throwers were  found  strapped  to  the  backs  of  the  German  dead 
in  no-man's-land.  Some  of  the  American  dead  in  the  front 
line  dug-outs  had  been  burned  to  death  by  these  cruel  devices. 
There  was  found  on  the  body  of  one  of  the  dead  officers  an 
exact  description  of  the  operation,  with  a  map  of  the  positions 
of  the  First  Division. 

For  its  superb  behavior  under  this  terrible  ordeal,  the 
18th  Infantry  was  commended  by  the  Commanding  General, 
32d  Army  Corps,  in  the  following  order: 

1st  Army,  Headquarters,  March  2,  1918. 

32d  Army  Corps. 
Staff 

3d  Bureau. 
1030/3. 

General  Order  No.  119. 

On  the  1st  of  March,  at  daybreak,  the  enemy  pulverized  the  first 
line  trenches  and  dug-outs  occupied  by  the  right  of  the  18th  American 
Regiment  with  a  heavy  fire  of  minnenwerfers  and  210's.  They  then  attacked 
in  6  columns  under  the  protection  of  a  roUing  barrage. 

All  instructions  which  had  been  given  had  been  faithfully  carried  out. 
The  Americans  withdrew  to  the  edge  of  the  zone  under  fire,  then  delivered 
a  strong  counter-attack. 

The  Boche  realized  the  force  of  the  American  blow.  He  retreated 
to  his  position,  leaving  on  the  spot  15  dead  (of  which  2  were  officers)  and 
4  prisoners. 

The  troops  of  the  32d  Army  Corps,  proud  to  be  fighting  by  the  side 
of  the  generous  sons  of  the  Great  Repul)lic  wlio  have  hastened  to  support 
France  and  with  her  to  save  the  freedom  of  the  world,  will  imderstand 
by  this  example  of  super!)  courage  and  coolness  the  full  meaning  of  the 
promises  made  by  the  entry  into  the  conflict  of  their  new  lirothers-in-arms. 

The  General  commanding  the  32d  Army  Corps  heartily  congratulates 


58  HISTORY    OF   THE    FIRST    DIVISION 

the  1st  jVinw'icuii  Division  and  in  particular  Iho  .3tl  lial-lalion  of  tiie  isth 
Infantry  as  well  as  the  American  artillery  whose  precise  and  opportune 
action  contri]:)uted  to  the  success. 

Passaga, 
The  General  Commanding  the  32d  Army  Corps. 

The  Division  and  the  18th  Infantry  were  also  visited  at 
once  by  M.  Clemenceau,  who  expressed  his  admiration  and 
appreciation  of  the  conduct  of  the  regiment. 

There  was  much  satisfaction  in  the  Division  over  tlie 
fact  that  the  enemy  would  soon  feel  the  force  of  a  similar 
blow.  Preparations  for  the  American  raid  were  now  intensi- 
fied. A  large  number  of  French  guns  of  aU  cahbers  were 
brought  into  the  sector  to  reinforce  the  American  artillery 
for  the  accompanying  fire. 

The  night  of  March  3d-4th  was  clear  and  all  conditions 
were  favorable.  The  watches  of  the  artillery  and  the  raiding 
parties  were  accuratelj^  synchronized  so  that  every  movement 
should  be  executed  simultaneously.  The  raiding  parties  took 
their  places  for  jumping  off,  and  at  1 :  00  o'clock  all  the  ar- 
tillery and  machine  guns  began  theii'  schedules  of  fire,  which 
had  been  accurately  calculated  and  tabulated  for  every  shot. 
After  several  minutes,  wliile  the  entire  Division  waited  tensely 
for  news,  a  telephone  message  from  the  ISth  Infantry  reported 
that  the  raid  was  canceled  and  asked  that  the  artillery  fire 
should  cease.  In  a  short  while,  a  similar  message  came  from 
the  16th  Infantry.  The  mystery  was  solved  when  it  was 
I'eported  tliat  the  sections  of  Bangalore  torpedoes  to  be  used 
by  the  engineers  in  blowing  open  the  wit-e  were  too  long  to 
pass  through  the  turnings  of  the  communicating  trenches  and, 
therefore,  they  could  not  be  placed  in  position  for  the  raid. 
There  was,  however,  no  tliought  of  abandoning  the  plan.  It 
was  decided  to  put  it  into  execution  again  on  March  11th, 
with  the  modifications  that  the  wire  was  to  be  cut  in  advance 
by  artillery  fire  and  that  the  raid  of  the  18th  Infantry  should 
be  made  just  before  daylight,  while  that  of  the  16th  In- 
fanti'v  should  be  made  just  before  dark.  The  separate  i-aids 
involved  separate  plans  for  the  employment  of  all  the  artillery 
and  macliine  ginis,  thus  giving  increased  protection  to  the 
raiding  parties. 


THE  ANSAUVUvLE  SECTOR  59 

On  the  night  of  March  9th-10th,  the  1st  Brigade  was 
relieved  by  the  2d  Brigade,  the  26th  Infantry  rephicing  the 
16th  Infantry,  and  the  28th  Infantry  ]-cplacing  the  18th 
Infantry.  The  raiding  jiarties  from  each  regiment  remained 
in  the  sector  and  the  balance  of  the  Brigade  returned  to  the 
Gondrecourt  Area  for  rest  and  further  training.  The  2d 
Machine  Gun  Battalion  remained  in  position  to  assist  in  the 
raids. 

On  March  10th,  selected  batteries  from  the  6th  and  7th 
Field  Artillery  cut  several  gaps  in  the  enemy's  wire,  each 
about  fifty  feet  wide,  at  various  places  so  as  to  avoid  indicating 
which  were  to  be  used  in  the  raids.  Approximately  four 
hundred  high  explosive  shells  were  fired  to  cut  each  gap.  The 
fire  was  accurately  adjusted  by  battery  officers  who  observed 
from  the  front  line  trenches.  The  enemy  was  prevented  from 
repairing  the  gaps  by  constantly  maintained  artillery  and 
machine  gun  fire  into  them  till  the  hour  for  the  raids. 

j  At  5:30  A.M.,  March  11th,  the  artillery  and  machine 
guns  again  deluged  the  enemy's  trenches  and  batteries.  The 
fire  was  then  shifted  to  a  box-barrage  and  four  officers  and 
sixty-one  men  from  the  18th  Infantry  swarmed  through  the 
wire  and  explored  the  enemy's  lines  to  his  thuxl  trench,  which 
lay  at  a  distance  of  about  three  hundred  meters  from  no-man's- 
land.  No  resistance  was  met  and  none  of  the  enemy  was 
found.  The  raiding  party  returned,  according  to  its  schedule, 
without  suffering  any  casualties.  So  effective  was  the  Amer- 
ican counter-battery  that  there  was  practically  no  enemy 
artillery  fire.  ' 

At  5:30  P.M.  the  same  day,  the  artillery  and  machine 
gims  repeated  the  performance  on  the  Richecourt  position 
and  fom-  officers  and  eighty-two  men  from  the  16th  Infantry 
passed  tln"Ough  the  gap  in  the  wire  and  again  penetrated  to 
the  enemy's  third  line.  As  in  the  morning,  no  resistance  was 
met  and  no  prisoners  were  captured.  The  party  returned, 
according  to  its  plan,  with  three  men  and  one  officer  sHghtly 
wounded. 

In  spite  of  the  fact  that  no  prisoners  were  taken,  these 
raids  proved  to  the  infantry  that  they  could  cross  the  enemy's 


Upper:  General  Pershing  addressing  officers  of  First  Division  before  they  leave  for  the 

attack,  Chaumont-en-Vexin,  France,  April,  1918. 
Lower:    Entrance  to  P.  C.  16th  Infantry  blocked  by  bursting  shell,  Broyes,  Prance, 
May  2,  1918. 


THE   ANSAUVILLE  SECTOR  61 

lines  and  return  safely,  and  to  the  artillery  and  machine  gun- 
ners that  they  could  neutralize  the  enemy's  guns  and  trenches 
and  thus  give  protection  to  the  infantiy.  General  Pershing 
and  the  French  generals  expressed  their  hearty  commendation 
and  the  Division  Commander  ■wrrote  the  following  letter  to  the 
Artillery  Brigade,  which  greatly  heightened  the  morale  of 
the  men: 

Headquarters,  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France,  March  11,  1918. 
From:       Division  Commander. 

To:  General  C.  P.  Summerall,  Commanding  1st  Artillery  Brigade. 

Subject:    Action  of  Artillery  Brigade  in  Remieres  and  Richecourt  raids, 
March  11,  1918. 
I  wish  to  express  to  you  and  to  the  officers  and  men  of  your  command 
my  appreciation  of  the  efficiency  of  your  work  in  the  raids  just  comjilcted. 
The  accuracy  and  effectiveness  of  the  fire  of  your  guns  has  enabled 
the  raiding  detachments  to  perform  their  missions  without  interference 
by  the  enemy  and  without  the  loss  of  a  man  and  has  undoubtedly  inflicted 
heavy  losses  on  the  enemy  in  addition  to  destroying  his  fortifications. 
The  infantry  has  been  inspired  with  a  great  confidence  by  the  assurance 
of  instant  effective  support  by  the  artilleiy. 

Please  communicate  my  congratulations  to  yomr  command. 

(Signed)     R.  L.  Bullaed, 

Major  General,  N.  A. 

As  an  illustration  of  the  ordeal  through  which  the  artillery 
passed,  it  should  be  noted  that,;for  twenty-four  hours  preceding 
the  morning  raid  of  March  11th,  the  position  of  Battery  D 
and  Headquarters,  2d  Battalion,  6th  Field  Artillery,  was  kept 
under  a  concentration  of  mustard  gas,  mingled  with  high  explo- 
sive shells  from  the  enemy's  batteries. ;  Nevertheless,  the  men 
served  the  guns,  wearing  their  gas  masks,  during  both  raids. 
At  the  end  of  the  evening  raid,  all  officers  and  men  were 
overcome  by  the  gas  and  were  evacuated.  A  completely  new 
personnel,  dressed  in  rubber  clothing  and  gas  masks,  moved 
the  guns  during  the  night  to  another  position,  where  they  were 
located  by  the  enemy  the  following  day.  The  enemy  at  once 
delivered  a  fire  of  destruction  against  the  new  position  and 
the  battery  was  compelled  to  move  again  after  having  two 


(\2  HISTORY   OF   TH1<:   FIRST   DIVISION 

of  its  guns  disabled.'  At  about  the  same  time  the  position 
of  Battery  A,  6th  Field  Artillery,  M-as  so  hea\dly  and  continu- 
ously shelled  and  gassed  that  traffic  over  the  axial  road  passing 
near  it,  upon  which  the  French  69th  Division  depended  for 
supplying  its  front  line,  was  completely  stopped  and  it  was 
necessary  to  move  the  battery  to  another,  though  a  no  less 
intensely  shelled,  location. 

The  billets  of  the  supporting  troops  were  harassed  almost 
nightly.  A  single  shell  bursting  in  the  shelter  of  the  2d  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  at  Mandres  killed  and  A\ounded  fourteen  men; 
another  shell  killed  and  wounded  nine  men  of  the  5th  Field 
Artillery  in  the  same  place.  Frecjuently,  the  detachments 
executing  reliefs  or  carrying  supplies  were  caught  by  harassing 
fire  in  the  villages  or  trenches  and  suffered  serious  losses. 
Even  the  practice  occupation  of  the  battle  positions  was 
attended  by  losses.  [Not  infrequently,  the  kitchens  in  the 
woods  or  near  the  emplacements  were  hit  and  groups  of  men 
in  them  were  killed  or  wounded.  / 

During  the  nights  of  March  Uth  and  13th,  the  3d  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  relieved  the  2d  JNIachine  Gun  Battalion,  which 
returned  to  the  Gondrecourt  Area  for  rest  and  training. 

[^In  addition  to  the  raids  in  force,  there  were  frequent 
silent  raids  by  both  sides  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  prisoners 
for  identification  of  enemy's  forces.  By  observation,  a  hostile 
machine  gun  or  sentinel  post  would  be  located.  An  officer 
and  a  small  detachment  would  creep  out  in  the  darkness 
through  kno-wni  gaps  in  their  wire  and  would  skilfully  cut  a 
passage  through  the  enemy's  wire.  They  would  then  ci-awl 
noiselessly  to  the  spot  selected  and  suddenly  spring  upon  the 
unsuspecting  post.  If  resistance  was  met,  the  bayonet  or  the 
clubbed  rifle,  or,  if  necessary,  the  pistol  and  hand  grenade  were 
used.  If  well  executed,  the  result  would  be  one  or  more 
dejected  prisoners  from  whom  the  desired  information  would 
be  obtained^ , 

On  the  night  of  March  28th,  one  officer  and  nine  men  from 
the  28th  Infantrj-  crept  through  their  \\ire  and  lay  in  wait  in 
no-man's-land  near  an  enemy's  outpost  till  dawn.  As  soon 
as  the  enemy's  sentinel  could  be  seen,  the  signal  was  given 


THE   ANSAI'VILLK   SKflTOH  63 

and  the  niidiug  party  .spia-iijj;  into  tlic  trencli.  One  German 
resisted  and  was  killed,  aiiotlier  was  killed  while  running;  the 
remaining  four,  including  a  non-commissioned  officer,  sur- 
rendered and  the  entire  party  returned  safely  with  the  prisoners 
to  their  trenches. 

At  another  time  an  officer  and  three  men  from  the  26th 
Infantry  started  out  about  7:00  p.m.  to  a  point  where  a 
listening  post  of  the  Germans  had  been  located.  There  was  a 
bright  moon  to  assist  their  observation.  The  German  wire 
was  cut  before  the  occupant  of  the  post  saw  the  raiders.  The 
officer  leaped  upon  the  German  and  while  they  were  struggling 
in  the  water  a  second  German  fired  at  him.  The  sergeant  in 
the  party  then  killed  the  assailant  wdth  his  bayonet  and  the 
prisoner  was  secured.  On  the  way  to  the  American  trenches 
the  prisoner  continually  shouted  "Kamerad,"  in  accordance 
with  the  German  custom  of  giving  the  alarm. 

Early  one  morning  the  enemy  suddenly  enclosed  an 
American  outpost  in  a  box-barrage  and  rushed  upon  the  occu- 
pants. All  the  members  of  the  outpost  dashed  to  the  rear 
along  the  communicating  trench,  except  one  man,  who 
scorned  to  run.  He  was  struck  over  the  head  and  carried 
away  as  a  prisoner. 

On  March  19th  the  enemy  attempted  another  raid  in 
force  against  the  28th  Infantry  in  the  Remieres  wood.  At 
3:00  A.  M.,  the  characteristic  burst  of  flame  and  the  roaring 
crash  of  high  explosive  shell  and  trench  mortar  bombs  shook 
the  earth.  Then  came  the  characteristic  box-barrage  and 
the  enemy's  raiding  party  dashed  from  their  trenches.  At 
this  moment  the  American  artillery  fire  came  down  with  its 
protective  barrage,  and  the  raiders  were  stopped  almost  on 
their  own  parapets.  When  dawn  came,  many  dead  Germans 
were  seen  as  silent  evidences  of  the  skill  of  the  American 
gimners.  Unfortunately,  a  small  party  of  Americans  going 
out  to  establish  an  automatic  rifle  post  was  caught  in  the 
enemy's  fire.  Three  men  were  killed  and  the  officer  and  two 
others  were  wounded,  one  of  them  dying  later. 

These  incidents  were  not  vniimportant.  They  marked  a 
stage  in  the  growth  of  the  Division.     The  men  who  shared 


04  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

them  were  outstaTKlihg  and  became  leaders  of  the  first  ortler. 
Later,  nearly  all  of  tliem  gave  tlieir  lives  on  fields  that  will 
live  among  the  great  events  of  history. 

Everyone  labored  under  constant  physical  and  mental 
strain.  Each  considered  himself  as  bearing  grave  responsibili- 
ties and  gave  all  that  he  possessed  to  acquit  himself  worthily 
of  his  country  and  of  his  cause.  There  was  thus  a  growth  not 
only  of  knowledge  but  of  character  in  everj^  officer  and  man, 
and  the  bond  between  individuals,  arms  and  services  increased 
with  the  dangers  and  the  hardships  that  the}'  endured  together. 

Relief  from  the  Sector. — While  the  Division  was  absorbed 
in  the  defense  of  the  sector,  the  great  German  offensive,  com- 
mencing March  21,  1918,  broke  upon  the  allied  line  with  a 
violence  that  shook  the  entire  battle  front.  Reports  of  the 
German  advance  came  with  alarming  details  and  it  was 
realized  that  every  resource  of  the  allied  world  would  be 
required  to  save  the  situation. 

In  the  midst  of  these  anxieties,  the  news  came  that  the 
American  Commander-in-Chief  had  offered  the  Allied  High 
Command  all  the  American  forces  for  such  dispositions  as 
were  deemed  most  advantageous  to  the  cause.  The  result 
was  an  order  to  the  First  Division  to  be  relieved  from  Lorraine 
and  to  proceed  to  Picardy,  where  the  battle  was  raging.^  At 
the  end  of  the  long  vigil,  the  Ansauville  Sector  losses  had 
amounted  to: 

Killed,  or  died  of  wounds 6  officers,  137  men 

Wounded 19  officers,  384  men 

Captured  or  missing  in  action 3  men 

Total 25  officers,  524  men^ 

There  was  also  much  loss  from  sickness  and  from  details 
to  schools,  staffs  and  services.  The  horses  were  reduced  in 
numbers  through  casualties,  overwork  and  lack  of  sufficient 
forage. 

The  following  orders  and  commendation  of  the  Division 
were  published  by  the  Corps  and  Division  Commanders: 

*  F.  O.  Nos.  8  and  9,  First  Division,  1918. 
^  Casualty  Records,  First  Division. 


J^kAi. 


it  ■j.r»J  JJ 


11  Wf 


C:^ 


V: 


■if: ^- 


THE   ANSAUVILT.E   SEC'TOI}  65 

Headquarters, 

32d  Army  Corps, 

3d  Bureau.  4  April,  1918. 

At  thi.s  time  when  the  First  American  Division  is  going  into  combat, 
the  officers,  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  of  the  32d  Army  Corps 
salute  their  brothers  in  arms  whose  liravery  they  have  admired. 

They  congratulate  them  on  the  opportimity  to  write  in  the  battle  of 
NATIONS,  the  first  page  of  the  history  of  the  sons  of  the  great  Republic 
who  have  come  to  fight  on  the  soil  of  France  for  triumph  and  Liberty. 

This  page  will  be  glorious. 

(Signed)     Passaga, 
General  Conunanding  the  32d  Army  Corps. 


Headquarters,  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France,  April  2,  1918. 
General  Orders 
No.  16. 

1.  The  Commanding  General  of  the  32d  French  Army  Corps  has 
expressed  in  orders  his  approbation  of  the  conduct  of  the  Division  while 
in  this  sector. 

2.  The  character  of  the  service  which  the  Division  is  now  about  to 
undertake,  however,  demands  enforcement  of  a  stricter  disciphne  and  the 
maintenance  of  a  higher  standard  of  efficiency  than  any  heretofore  required 
of  us. 

3.  From  now  on  troops  of  this  command  will  be  held  at  all  times  to 
the  strictest  observation  of  that  rigid  disciphne,  in  camp  and  upon  the 
march,  which  is  essential  to  their  maximum  efficiency  on  the  day  of  battle. 

4.  This  order  will  be  read  by  all  organization  commanders  to  the 
men  of  their  command. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Bullard, 
Campbell  King, 
Chief  of  Staff. 

The  26th  American  Division  was  made  available  for  the 
relief  of  the  First  Division  and  reconnaissance  and  advance 
parties  soon  began  to  arrive.  The  elements  of  the  26th  Divi- 
sion commenced  entering  the  lines  April  1st  and  the  relief 
was  completed  April  3d.  The  Artillery  Staff  of  the  First 
Division  functioned  with  the  26th  Division  till  April  5th. 
To  expedite  the  relief,  the  155-mm.  howitzers  of  the  First 


6(i  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Division  were  transferred  in  tlieir  ix)siti(jns  to  the  26th  Division 
in  exchange  for  the  howitzers  of  the  latter. 

The  Division  was  assembled  in  the  vicinity  of  Toul  for 
entraining.  With  great  rapidity,  some  fort)^  standard  troop 
trains,  of  fifty  cars  each,  were  suppUed,  and  the  different  ele- 
ments were  loaded  and  dispatched  to  their  destinations.  The 
1st  Brigade,  the  2d  Machine  Gun  Battalion  and  all  other 
units  in  the  Gondrecourt  Area  entrained  from  their  own  sta- 
tions. All  motorized  elements  proceeded  by  road.  These 
arrangements  involved  a  large  amount  of  staff  administration, 
l)ut,  due  to  the  experience  of  officers  and  the  simplicity  of  the 
French  troop  train  system,  the  movement  was  executed  \\'ith 
ease  and  order. 

The  Division  was  directed  to  assemble  in  the  Gisors 
Area,  northwest  of  Paris.  Here,  the  5th  French  Ai-my  received 
it  and  assigned  the  billeting  places.  Some  of  the  organizations 
made  long  marches  from  the  detraining  points  to  the  villages 
which  were  their  destinations. 

Division  Headquarters  was  established  at  Chaumont-en- 
Vexin  April  8th,  and  the  last  of  the  elements  arrived  the  same 
day.^  All  now  devoted  themselves  feverishly  to  completing 
the  equipment  and  to  the  short  training  schedule  prescribed, 
preparatory  to  engaging  in  open  warfare. 

The  Gisors  Area. — The  billeting  area  was  located  about 
seventy-five  kilometers  from  the  Montdidier  front,  which  was 
to  be  the  destination  of  the  Division.  By  this  time  the  mili- 
tary situation  had  brightened  and  the  line  of  battle  had  par- 
tially stabilized.  The  constant  sound  of  heavj^  cannonading 
showed,  however,  that  there  was  no  quiet  on  this  front.  Long 
troop  trains  passed  mthout  ceasing,  bringing  soldiers  and 
especially  artillery,  both  English  and  French,  back  from  Italy 
to  strengthen  the  line.  These  conditions  added  zest  to  the 
training.  The  schedule  emphasized  the  establishment  and 
maintenance  of  communications  and  liaison.  Lectures  were 
deUvered  upon  the  various  subjects  and  practical  problems 
were  solved.  The  instruction  concluded  with  a  Division 
liaison  maneuver,  in  which  all  the  echelons  of  command  and 

"  War  Diary,  First  Division. 


THE  ANSAUVILLE   SECTOR  67 

all  the  elements  of  liaison  within  the  Division  were  employed. 
General  Pershing,  the  French  5th  Army  Commander,  and 
numerous  staff  officers  and  observers  were  present.  At  its 
conclusion,  the  Division  was  pronounced  fit  for  open  warfare 
and  was  designated  to  enter  the  lines  in  the  Cantigny  Sector. 
This  front  was  held  by  the  1st  French  Army,  which  had  been 
transferred  to  it  from  Lorraine  to  check  the  German  offensive 
in  March.  The  Division,  therefore,  came  again  under  the 
command  of  General  Debeney. 

Immediately  preceding  the  departure  of  the  Division,  all 
the  officers  were  assembled  at  Division  Headquarters  and  the 
Commander-in-Chief  addressed  them.  The  scene  and  its 
significance  were  impressive  and  became  one  of  the  outstanding 
incidents  in  the  life  of  the  command.  General  Pershing,  bear- 
ing his  great  load  of  responsibility,  stood  facing  the  men  upon 
whom  he  and  their  country  relied  for  success  in  the  new  and 
crucial  test  that  awaited  them.  In  words  that  sank  into  all 
hearts  he  told  them  of  their  mission,  of  their  responsibilities 
and  of  his  confidence  in  them.  His  personality  and  his  lofty 
sentiments  were  an  inspiration,  and  he  imparted  the  spirit  of 
his  own  high  resolves  and  resolute  purposes.  In  the  days  and 
the  months  that  followed,  he  had  reason  to  know  that  in  this 
devoted  band  his  hopes  were  abundantly  fulfilled. 

In  spite  of  the  hard  training,  the  stay  in  the  Gisors  Area 
brought  rest  and  relaxation  to  the  men  who  had  known  only 
danger  and  fatigue  in  the  trenches.  The  country  was  beautiful 
and  smiling  with  the  evidences  of  spring.  It  had  not  been 
defiled  by  the  enemy,  and  here  there  were  no  scars  and  no 
desolation  of  war.  The  people  were  gracious  in  their  hospitality 
and  by  numerous  acts  of  kindness  gave  proof  of  their  genuine 
appreciation  of  the  help  that  the  American  soldiers  had  brought 
them.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  call  to  battle  and  the  great 
adventure  that  lay  in  the  direction  of  those  angry  guns,  all 
would  have  been  happy  to  remain  in  such  a  paradise.  Good 
food,  comfortable  quarters  and  sleep,  unbroken  by  bursting 
shell  and  gas,  had  made  their  bodies  fit.  It  was,  therefore, 
with  light  hearts,  uplifted  heads  and  high  morale  that  the 
columns  turned  their  faces  toward  Picardy. 


68  HISTORY   OF   THE    FIRST    DIVISION 

At  that  moment  there  appeared,  in  an  American  news- 
paper, the  following  tribute  from  some  patriotic  heart: 

From  f^oinewliere  in  the  neislit'orliood  of  Toiil  a  stream  of  motor 
trucks  is  pouring  across  150  or  200  miles  of  France  towards  the  Oise  or 
the  Somme.  It  is  doubtless  only  one  of  many  such  streams,  Init  it  is  one 
of  poignant  interest  for  us,  for  these  motor  trucks  are  crammed  with 
American  soldiers  on  their  way  to  help  in  the  defense  of  liberty. 

It  is  a  little  army,  not  an  army  at  all  as  those  gigantic  things  are 
counted  nowadays.  But  it  is  made  up  of  our  l)est.  We  know  enough 
about  some  of  its  units  to  know  that  we  never  had  and  never  shall  have 
anything  better  to  offer  than  thc\-  are.  They  have  gone  to  prove  that 
America  is  still  the  America  of  1776  and  1861,  and  to  wipe  out  the  painful 
memory'  of  her  long  laggardness,  of  her  long  willingness  to  let  others  fight 
first  when  the  liberty  of  this  nation,  this  hemisphere,  and  the  world  was 
at  stake.  There  are  some  things  in  the  record  of  the  last  four  years  that 
we  cannot  Ije  proud  of,  liut  there  is  nothing  that  these  brave  young  souls 
will  ever  have  to  blush  for,  and  whatever  we  have  to  blush  for  we  will 
never  have  to  l)lush  for  them.  Whatever  we  are,  they  are  America,  the 
America  of  Bunker  Hill  and  Gettysburg,  America  undefiled  by  selfishness, 
sloth,  or  timidity.  Even  today,  perhaps,  they  are  to  prove  their  devotion, 
many  of  them  to  give  the  last  full  measure  of  sacrifice,  to  that  ideal  we 
raised  at  Philadelphia  in  1776.    God  be  with  them! 


spring — Cantigny 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE   CANTIGNY  SECTOR 

The  March. — On  April  17th  the  entire  Division  was  put 
in  motion  over  the  various  roads  leading  to  the  front. ^  The 
columns  advanced  without  interference  and  in  accordance 
with  the  carefully  prepared  march  tables  issued  by  the  staff. 
In  order  to  preserve  the  remaining  strength  of  the  horses,  the 
entire  personnel  of  the  field  artillerj^  marched  on  foot.  Night 
found  the  different  commands  comfortably'  billeted  and  sup- 
phed  in  a  normal  manner.  A  journey  of  four  days  brought  the 
elements  into  their  billets  in  the  rear  area  of  the  sector. 
Advance  parties  and  staff  officers  at  once  went  forward  to 
reconnoiter  and  prepare  for  the  relief. 

j  The  Sector. — The  sector  (Map  IV)  extended  from  just 
north  of  Cantigny  to  just  south  of  Mesnil-St.  Georges,  a 
distance  of  about  four  kilometers,  at  the  point  of  the  salient 
established  by  the  German  offensive  in  March.-  Here  the 
enemy  had  been  checked  by  the  French  reserves,  but  he  gave 
abundant  evidence  of  an  intention  to  continue  his  advance. 
The  sector  was  exceedingly  active  and  the  artillery  fire  over  it 
was  compared  by  French  officers  to  that  of  the  last  days  of 
the  Verdun  battle.  As  a  result  of  this  fire  it  had  been  impossi- 
ble to  dig  trenches,  construct  wire  entanglements  or  otherwise 
strengthen  the  position  for  defense.  The  line  was  Uttle  more 
than  a  succession  of  shell  holes.  No  movement  could  take 
place  in  the  forward  area  during  the  day,  as  the  least  exposiu-e 
would  draw  fire  from  the  enemy's  rifles  and  machine  guns. 
The  sector  was  held  by  the  45th  and  the  162d  Colonial  Divi- 
sions, which  side-slipped  to  the  northwest  and  the  east  respec- 
tively to  admit  the  First  American  Division  on  a  front  com- 
mensurate with  its  power.  The  German  lines  opposite  the 
sector  were  held  by  the  30th  Division  and  the  25th  Reserve 

1  F.  O.  Nos.  10,  11  and  12,  First  Division,  1918. 
'  F.  0.  No.  14,  First  Division,  1918. 

(69) 


70  HISTORY   OV   THE    FIRST    DIVISION 

Division.    On  May  16th  the  30th  Division  was  replaced  by 
the  82d  Reserve  Division.'' 

The  Relief. — The  French  occupants  received  the  Amer- 
icans gladly  and  rendered  every  assistance.  The  sector  was 
under  the  French  6th  Corps  and  the  Corps  Commander  pub- 
lished tlie  following  greeting: 

Headquarters,  20  April,  1918. 
6th  Annj'  Corps 
General  Staff, 
No.  3543/1. 

General  Order  No.  32 

By  order  of  the  Commanding  General,  1st  Ai'my,  dated  19  April, 
the  First  U.  S.  Infantry  Division  is  attached  to  the  6th  Corps  from  21  April. 

The  6th  Corps  is  particularly  proud  to  gather  to  its  side,  before  the 
enemy,  the  troops  of  the  noble  American  nation  and  to  wish  them  a  cordial 
welcome. 

The  intimate  union  of  the  efforts  in  the  great  struggle  that  wc  make 
for  liberty  is  the  best  guarantee  of  victory. 

At  the  moment  when  the  First  U.  S.  Infantry  Division  enters  the  line, 
I  salute  its  flags,  which  come  to  unfold  themselves  upon  the  soil  of  France. 

General  Duport. 

On  the  night  of  April  24th  the  1st  Brigade  entered  the 
line.^  The  16th  Infantry  occupied  the  right  sub-sector  with 
headquarters  at  Broyes.  The  18th  Infantry  occupied  the  left 
sub-sector  with  headquarters  at  Villers-Tournelle.  Both  of 
these  towns  afterward  became  especial  targets  for  the  enemy's 
guns  and  were  practically  destroyed.  Brigade  Headquarters 
was  established  at  Serevillers.  The  1st  and  2d  Machine  Gun 
Battalions  occupied  the  line  with  the  1st  Brigade.  The  2d 
Battalion,  28th  Infantiy,  took  up  support  positions  "v^th  three 
companies  at  Rocquencourt  and  one  company  at  Coullenielle. 
The  1st  Battalion,  1st  Engineers,  entered  the  sector  with  the 
1st  Brigade  and  at  once  set  to  work  to  organize  and  strengthen 
the  positions.  The  2d  Battalion,  6th  Field  Artillery,  estab- 
lished its  batteries  in  rear  of  Coullemelle  with  regimental 
headquarters  near  that  town.  The  7th  Field  Artiller}^  relieved 
the  French  batteries  between  Broyes  and  Serevillers,  with 

'  Report,  First  Division,  November  .30,  1918. 
«F.  O.  Nos.  1.3  and  14,  First  Division,  1918. 


THE  CANTIGNY  SECTOR  71 

headquarters  at  the  latter  place.  The  1st  Battalion,  5th  Field 
Artillery,  was  placed  near  Rocquencourt  and  the  3d  Battalion 
to  the  south  of  Broyes.  The  2d  Battalion,  5th  Field  Artillery, 
was  sent  to  the  sector  of  the  162d  French  Division,  which 
adjoined  the  Americans  on  the  right  and  operated  with  that 
Division.^ 

In  the  meantime,  the  2d  Field  Signal  Battahon  had  been 
feverishly  busy  organizing  and  constructing  communications 
for  the  new  sector.  The  task  involved  complete  installations 
for  all  posts  of  command  and  for  lines  extending  throughout 
the  rear  billeting  areas  to  a  distance  of  thirty  kilometers,  in 
addition  to  the  usual  liaison  with  the  troops  in  the  sector. 
Division  Headquarters,  Headquarters  1st  Field  Aj-tillery 
Brigade,  and  Headquarters  5th  Field  Artillery,  were  estab- 
lished in  Mesnil-St.  Firmin,  and  the  Division  Commander 
assumed  command  of  the  sector  on  April  27th. 

The  trains  and  services  estabUshed  themselves  and  per- 
formed their  various  functions.  The  remainder  of  the  troops 
occupied  billets  in  the  rear  area,  waiting  for  their  turn  to 
relieve  the  troops  in  the  line. 

The  French  reinforced  the  American  artillery  by  two 
battalions  of  75's  and  a  large  number  of  fortress  howitzers  of 
old  model,  but  of  great  power  and  suitability  for  the  defense.^ 
In  addition,  the  French  corps  artillery,  which  was  numerous, 
was  charged  with  the  entire  responsibility  for  counter-battery 
fire  against  the  German  guns  and  the  5th  Battalion  of  Tanks 
was  attached  to  the  Division. 

A  sound  and  flash  ranging  section,  consisting  of  two  officers 
and  fifty  men,  had  been  organized  by  the  1st  Field  Ai-tillery 
Brigade  in  the  Ansauville  Sector  and  had  been  trained  under 
the  corresponding  French  service.  This  section  now  became 
of  great  value  in  the  unorganized  sector  and  was  installed  as 
a  part  of  the  corps  sound  and  flash  ranging  service  that  already 
existed.  French  aeroplane  and  balloon  organizations  served 
the  Division  most  effectively.  The  1st  Trench  Mortar  Battery 
was  later  emplaced  east  of  CouUemelle. 

5  F.  O.  No.  14,  Firet  Division,  1918. 
« F.  O.  14,  Firet  Division,  1918. 


72  HISTOllY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

I 

The  Conduct  of  the  Sector. — The  primary  mission  of  the 
Division  was  to  hold  its  front.  The  AlHed  High  Command 
expected  the  enemy  to  make  another  drive  in  the  direction 
of  Amiens,  involving  assaults  along  this  entire  line.  The 
strength  and  aggressiveness  of  the  Germans  everywhere  gave 
ample  confirmation  of  such  a  purpose.  It  was,  therefore,  of 
the  first  urgency  that  the  position  should  be  prepared  for 
defense  by  the  construction  of  suitable  trenches  and  by  organ- 
izing the  sector  in  successive  lines  of  resistance.  The  engineers 
and  the  infantry  were  employed  in  this  work.  In  three  nights 
they  constructed  a  communicating  trench  six  thousand  meters 
long,  constantlj-  under  fire.  This  alone  greatly  facilitated  pas- 
sage to  and  from  the  front  line  and  saved  many  casualties.  J 
The  artillery  was  likewise  employed  in  digging  battery  emplace- 
ments. As  eventually  organized,  the  main  defense  was  pre- 
pared for  the  second  line,  which  lay  beyond  the  range  of  most 
of  the  enemy's  artillery  positions.  The  front  lines  were  held 
lightly,  but  machine  guns  and  strong  points  were  so  arranged 
that  the  enemy's  attack  would  have  been  broken  before  it 
reached  the  second  position.  Behind  the  second  line  nearly 
all  of  the  guns  were  located  and  it  was  expected  that  an  attack 
would  crumble  completely  in  front  of  it  under  the  combined 
infantry,  machine  gun  and  artillery  fire. 

[information  of  the  enemy  was  vital  in  order  to  ascertain 
his  intentions.  Nightly,  patrols  and,  frequently,  silent  raids 
were  sent  out  and  prisoners  were  brought  in.j  This  was  facili- 
tated by  the  absence  of  extensive  wire  and  trench  organizations. 
There  were  also  from  time  to  time  raids  in  force  accompanied 
bj^  artillery  and  machine  gun  fire.  There  was  intense  rivalry 
for  the  control  of  no-man's-land,  but  the  Americans  always 
held  the  ascendency. 

The  sector  received  fire  from  more  than  ninety  German 
battery  positions.  All  roads  and  trails  were  constantly 
searched  b}'  bursting  shells.  Surprise  fire  would  descend 
simultaneously  on  several  hundred  yards  of  a  road,  or  the 
entire  distance  between  two  towns  would  be  covered  for  several 
minutes.  The  battery  positions  were  subjected  almost  daily 
to  destructive  "shoots"  with  aeroplane  observation.    Woods 


SCENES  AT  CANTIGNY,  MAY  28,  I'JIS 
Upper  Left:  A  French  flame-thrower  burning  out  a  German  dug-out. 
L<jWER  Left:  A  French  soldier,  carrying  a  flame-tlirower,  waiting  lor  (iernian  prisoners 

to  come  out  from  dug-out. 
Upper  Right:  The  first  wave  of  28th  Infantiy  junii.ing  oft'  in  attack  on  Cantigny. 
Lower  Right:  The  2Stli  Infantry,  in  S(iuad  rcjlunin  formation,  advancing  on  Cantigny. 


74  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

and  ravines  were  made  untenable  by  mustard  gas  and  the 
guns  were  often  driven  from  emplacements  prepared  with 
much  labor  and  completely  camouflaged.  In  one  "shoot" 
all  four  guns  of  Battery  A,  7th  Field  Artillery,  were  destroyed 
in  a  few  minutes  and  in  another  "shoot"  a  battalion  of  French 
75's  was  so  knocked  about  that  the  remains  were  of  little 
value,  j  There  were  frequent  calls  upon  the  French  Corps  for 
counter-battery  fire,  but,  in  spite  of  all  its  efforts,  the  German 
guns  could  not  be  silenced. 

At  first,  it  was  necessary  to  shelter  the  supporting  troops 
in  the  villages,  and  these  promptly  became  favorite  targets 
for  the  enemy's  heavy  guns  and  howitzers.  On  the  night  of 
May  3d-4th,  it  was  estimated  that  not  less  than  fifteen 
thousand  high  explosive  and  mustard  gas  shells  fell  on  a 
l:)attalion  of  the  18th  Infantry  in  Villers-Tournelle  in  the  space 
of  three  and  one-half  hours.  More  than  eight  hundred  and 
fifty  casualties  resulted.  |  The  wounded  and  gassed  were 
treated  at  Field  Hospitals  Nos.  12  and  13,  where  the  skilful 
and  tireless  devotion  of  the  personnel  was  a  tribute  to  their 
efficiency  and  their  morale.  Tt  was  necessary  to  obtain  French 
uniforms  to  replace  the  ruined  clothing  of  the  survivors,  A 
similar  bombardment  was  delivered  later  on  Coullemelle,  but 
fortunately  it  was  not  occupied  by  troops.  The  town  of 
Broyes  was  constanth'  under  shell  fire  and  although  no  great 
concentration  was  delivered  upon  it,  the  place  soon  became 
a  mass  of  ruins. 

[Heavy  bombardments  were  concentrated  upon  the  front 
lines,  where  the  rattle  of  machine  guns  was  almost  continuous. 
The  dead  and  the  wounded  could  not  be  evacuated  till  after 
dark  and  it  was  distressing  to  see  the  sufferings  of  the  unfor- 
tunate men  to  whom  little  more  than  first  aid  could  be  admin- 
istered. 

[Division,  Brigade  and  Regimental  Headquarters  were  sub- 
jected to  harassing  fire,  both  day  and  night,  and  some  of  the 
German  long-range  guns  reached  towns  and  railroad  stations 
in  the  back  area.  German  bomliing  planes  made  frequent 
visits  at  night  and  dropped  their  immense  torpedoes  in  the 
sector  and  upon  the  billets  and  hospitals  in  the  rear  area.    One 


THE  CANTIGNY  SECTOR  75 

bomb  killed  three  officers  and  wounded  others  in  a  supj^ly 
depot.  At  another  time,  one  man  and  twelve  horses  were  killed 
and  a  number  were  wounded  in  the  stables  of  the  Ammunition 
Train,  more  than  twenty  kilometers  behind  the  American  lines. 

The  American  and  French  guns  in  the  sector  did  well  their 
part  in  sustaining  the  battle.  The  ammunition  allowance 
was  practically  unlimited.  Daily  schedules  of  fire,  based  on 
the  Intelligence  reports  of  the  enemy's  organization,  were 
executed  with  great  intensity.  The  enemy's  trenches,  billets, 
kitchens  and  communications  were  showered  with  high  explo- 
sive shell  and  shrapnel.  Far  more  shots  were  sent  than  received. 
Seldom  less  than  ten  thousand  rounds  of  all  calibers  were 
fired  from  the  American  guns  every  twenty-four  hours.  At 
one  time  the  expenditure  amounted  to  six  hundred  tons  of 
metal  per  clay  for  three  days.  jThere  was  no  moment  when  the 
air  was  not  torn  by  the  shrill  scream  of  the  75's  or  the  deep 
roar  of  the  larger  calibers.  The  noise  was  so  great  that  sleep 
could  only  be  found  in  the  deep  dug-outs.  The  members  of 
the  gun  squads  relieved  each  other  to  rest,  but  the  guns  scarcely 
cooled.  Letters  taken  from  prisoners  and  the  bodies  of  the 
enemj^  killed  during  raids  complained  bitterly  of  the  fire,  which, 
they  said,  came  down  on  them  at  their  meals,  deprived  them 
of  all  roads  and  prevented  them  from  digging  trenches  or 
obtaining  any  rest.  At  times,  the  troops  in  their  front  lines 
were  prevented  from  receiving  food.  1 

While  the  sector  appeared  empty  during  the  day,  every 
road  and  trail  sprang  to  life  as  dark  approached  to  hide  them 
from  the  ever  watchful  balloons  that  loomed  along  the  front. 
Kitchens  and  water  carts,  with  the  only  cooked  meal  for  the 
day,  moved  toward  their  companies.  Details  from  each  unit 
with  their  marmite  cans  came  to  meet  them  at  the  limit  of 
their  approach,  and  carried  the  food  and  water  to  the  hungry, 
weary  and  waiting  men.  Needless  to  say,  the  food  and  the 
coffee  were  cold  and  the  water  was  warm,  but  that  was  the 
way  in  war.  Through  the  long  hours  of  the  night  the  trucks 
and  wagons  of  the  Ammunition  Train  moved  from  the  dumps 
to  the  battery  positions  and  the  infantry  receiving  points  with 
tons  of  shells  and  thousands  of  rifle  and  machine  gun  cartridges 


76  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

and  pyrotechnics.  Returning,  the  vehicles  were  loaded  with 
empt}'  cartridge  cases  tliat  acciunulated  at  all  the  battery 
emplacements  diuing  the  day.  There  were  no  lights  and  the 
roads  were  incessantly  shelled.  Cross-roads  and  \'illages  by 
which  the  trains  were  compelled  to  move  \ve.ve.  kept  under  fire. 
Nightly,  carts,  wagons  and  trucks  were  hit  and  casualties 
resulted  to  both  men  and  animals,  but  nothing  deterred  these 
devoted  services  who  shared  equally  with  the  front  line  troops 
and  the  gunners  the  honors  of  the  battle. 

At  this  time,  also,  the  ambulances  moved  forward  and 
received  their  loads  of  wounded  who  had  been  brought  by 
stretchers  from  the  Unes  over  the  shell-torn  trails  and  through 
the  shattered  growth  of  the  forests  and  woods.  All  the  while, 
the  lines  were  ablaze  with  signal  rockets,  flares  and  Very  pistol 
cartridges,  telling  of  the  activities  that  marked  the  hour. 
The  anti-tank  gun  squads  and  the  machine  gunners,  who  could 
not  move  during  the  day  in  their  forward  positions,  crawled 
out  and  stretched  themselves  or  worked  to  improve  their 
"nests." 

On  May  5th,  the  1st  BattaHon,  6th  Field  Artillery, 
entered  the  sector  and  occupied  positions  in  front  of  Rocquen- 
court.  Deep  cuts  in  the  roads  where  the  guns  were  placed 
soon  became  favorite  targets  for  the  enemy's  gas  concentra- 
tions and  the  cannoneers  on  duty  were  comjielled  to  wear  their 
gas  masks. 

On  May  9th,  the  6th  Field  Artillery  supported  the 
French  Division  on  the  left  in  a  brilliant  assault  and  capture 
of  the  Park  of  Grivesnes.  This  was  the  first  participation  in 
an  pffensive  action. 

;  On  the  night  of  May  14th,  the  2d  Brigade  reUeved  the 
1st  Brigade;  the  26th  Infantry  replaced  the  16th  Infantry 
and  the  28th  Infantry  replaced  the  18th  Infantry.!  The  2d 
Machine  Gun  BattaUon  was  reheved  by  the  3d  Macliine  Gun 
Battalion  and  the  1st  Battalion  of  Engineers  was  reulaced  by 
the  2d  Battalion  of  the  regiment. 

The  losses  were  increasing  rapidly  and  among  the  killed 
were  some  of  the  most  experienced  and  valuable  officers.  The 
ordeal  through  which  the  Division  was  passing  was  only  a 
preparation  for  the  greater  tasks  that  yet  awaited  it. 


THE  CANTIGNY  SECTOR  77 

In  order  to  meet  the  expected  renewal  of  the  German  offen- 
sive, the  Allied  High  Command  had  planned  a  counter- 
offensive  from  the  Montdidier  front.  A  secret  order  was  sent 
to  the  First  Division  to  guide  it  in  preparing  for  its  part.' 
This  order  contemplated  the  preliminary  capture  of  Cantigny, 
in  order  to  straighten  the  line  and  afford  a  good  jumping-off 
position.  It  was  also  indfspensable  to  deprive  the  enemy  of 
this  salient,  which  facilitated  his  observation  and  the  effect 
of  his  fire  upon  the  sector.  During  the  latter  part  of  May  it 
was  decided  to  put  the  operation  into  execution. 


CANTIGNY  /         K  h  /    „     ; , 

The  Preparation. — The  town  of  Cantigny  stood  on  a  rise 
of  ground  in  the  center  of  the  salient  in  the  German  line  west 
of  Montdidier.  It  had  been  fortified  and  was  known  to  be 
strongly  occupied  by  the  82d  Reserve  Division.^  Alxuidant 
cover  for  the  enemy's  guns  and  machine  guns  was  found  in 
the  depressions  that  lay  about  it,  and  from  its  commanding  site 
excellent  observation  was  afforded.  It  was,  indeed,  the  out- 
standing featm-e  of  the  terrain.  Its  possession  by  the  Amer- 
icans would  afford  them  all  the  advantages  of  the  position 
and  would  correspondingly  inconvenience  the  enemy.  More- 
over, unless  it  were  captured,  it  would  break  the  force  of  any 
general  counter-offensive  such  as  was  contemplated  Ijy  the 
Allied  High  Command,  and  its  possession  by  the  Americans 
would  serve  as  a  like  barrier  against  the  expected  hostile 
offensive.  On  account  of  these  considerations  it  had  already 
been  twice  captured  and  recaptured  i^rior  to  the  arrival  of  the 
Americans,  and  the  enemy  had  let  it  be  known  that  he  intended 
to  hold  this  point  of  vantage  at  any  cost.  It  was  realized?, 
therefore,  that  while  capture  might  be  possible,  there  would 
surely  follow  desperate  fighting  to  hold  ft.  In  fact,  the  organi- 
zation and  retention  of  the  position  were  the  source  of  the 
chief  anxiety  in  the  preliminary  plans. 

Though  not  an  extensive  operation  when  measured  by 
the  great  battles  of  the  war,  Cantigny  was  of  far  more  impor- 

'  F.  0.  No.  1.5,  Firet  Division,  191S. 
'  German  order  of  battle. 


78  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST   DIVISION 

tance  thanjts^ magnitude  might  suggest.  Like  many  other 
^mall  actions  in  warfare,  it  marked  a  turning  point  in  the 
psychological,  if  not  in  the  military,  influence  upon  the  war, 
and  it  will  live  in  history  as  an  achievement  to  which  the 
American  people  will  ever  point  with  pride.  Conscious  of  the 
consequences  that  success  or  failiu-e  might  have  upon  the 
course  of  the  war  and  of  the  solemn  responsibility  that  devolved 
upon  those  who  organized,  as  well  as  upon  those  who  executed, 
the  attack,  the  staff  of  the  First  Division  proceeded  to  pre- 
pare the  plan  for  the  employment  of  the  troops.  This  was  no 
task  for  novices  in  either  the  staff  or  the  command,  but  the 
First  Division  had  been  fitted  by  its  growth  in  experience 
and  morale  for  such  a  mission. 

The^Sth  Infantry  was  selected  to  make  the  assault.  In 
order  to  give  the  troops  special  training  for  the  operation,  the 
regiment  was  withdrawn  from  the  line  on  the  nights  of  May 
23d-24th  and  24th-25th,  and  its  place  was  taken  by  the  18th 
Infantry.  The  stage  for  the  rehearsal  of  the  attack  was 
located  in  the  area  about  Maisoncelle-TuiUerie  and  St.Eusoye.^ 
A  position  was  found  which  reproduced  as  far  as  practicable  the 
Cantigny  topographical  features.  Here,  trenches  and  objec- 
tives were  constructed  exactly  like  the  German  system,  as 
shown  in  aeroplane  photographs  and  sketches  by  patrols  and 
observers.  All  units  down  to  include  the  platoon  were  drilled 
in  their  special  parts.  Selected  details  were  given  particular 
tasks,  such  as  bombing  dug-outs  and  machine  gim  nests. 
Accurately  constructed  maps  showing  all  the  information 
collected  by  the  inteUigence  sections  were  issued  down  to 
include  platoon  commanders.  Tanks  supphed  by  the  French 
were  present  and  the  infantry  was  shown  how  to  advance  with 
them.  Aeroplanes  flew  over  the  field  and  dropped  weighted 
messages  so  as  to  indicate  how  they  should  be  recovered. 
Particular  stress  was  laid  upon  the  communications  and 
liaison.  Signal  detachments  constructed  and  operated  at  the 
drills  all  the  lines  that  it  was  intended  to  use.  To  facilitate 
repairs,  relay  stations  were  installed  by  the  artillery  and  sig- 
nal troops,  with  Unemen  and  messengers  to  supplement  each 

9  Station  List,  28th  Infantry. 


THE  CANTIGNY  SECTOR  79 

other.  Wireless  and  T.P.8.  stations  were  employed  to  insure 
some  form  of  liaison  at  all  times.'" 

However  l^rave  and  skilful  the  assaulting  troops,  they 
could  not  have  moved  wdthout  an  overwhelming  covering  fire 
from  the  artillery  and  machine  guns.  The  plan  for  the  employ- 
ment of  the  artillery  was  in  itself  an  elaborate  study.  Rein- 
forcing French  field  and  heavy  artillerj^  and  trench  mortars, 
made  available  for  the  operation  132  75's,  36  155's,  178  heavy 
guns  and  howitzers  and  40  trench  mortars,  making  a  total  of 
386  guns.  Approximately  200,000  rounds  of  artillery  ammu- 
nition, with  a  weight  in  steel  of  more  than  five  million  pounds, 
were  accumulated.  The  enormous  task  of  loading  this  ammu- 
nition at  the  dumps  and  hauling  and  delivering  it  to  the  battery 
positions  throughout  the  sector  was  performed  during  the 
hours  of  darkness  by  the  1st  Ammunition  Train  with  a  devo- 
tion to  duty  that  gave  it  an  equal  share  with  the  combat  arms 
in  the  glory  of  the  victory.  In  addition,  the  artillery  of  the 
two  neighboring  French  divisions  was  employed  to  the  limit 
of  the  ranges  of  their  guns.  Tables  of  fire,  prescribing  the  data 
for  every  shot,  were  prepared.  Accurate  adjustments  of  all 
the  guns  were  discreetly  conducted  so  as  not  to  apprise  the 
enemy  of  the  reinforcements."  Elaborate  communications 
were  installed  by  the  artillery  to  insure  liaison,  allowing  for  a 
large  percentage  of  destruction  by  the  enemy's  fire.  While 
these  preparations  were  in  progress,  the  enemy's  shelling 
became  intensified  and  newly-arrived  batteries  often  suffered 
serious  casualties  before  emplacements  and  shelter  could  be 
prepared. 

The  1st,  2d  and  3d  Machine  Gun  Battalions  and  the 
Machine  Gun  Companies  of  the  16th  Infantry  and  the  18th 
Infantry  were  daringly  placed  near  the  front  line  so  as  to  put 
down  a  barrage  throughout  the  assault  and  in  front  of  the  final 
objectives.'^  They  were  fully  incorporated  in  the  liaison 
system.  The  tremendous  part  that  these  superb  units  per- 
formed may  be  judged  by  the  fact  that  one  company  alone 

"  Report  of  First  Division,  December  18,  1918. 

"  Plan  of  Employment  of  Artillery,  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade. 

"  F.  O.  No.  15,  First  Division,  1918. 


80  HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 

fired  more  tlian  1 00,000  rounds  during  the  assault  and  the  sub- 
sequent counter-attacks. 

Appropriate  missions  were  assigned  to  the  37-mm.  guns 
and  the  Stokes  mortars  of  all  the  regiments. 

While  these  arrangements  were  in  progress  the  18th 
Infantry  and  the  1st  Engineers  dug  two  lines  of  trenches  in 
front  of  the  enemy,  one  of  which  was  to  be  a  dummy  to  deceive 
the  enemy  and  the  other  the  real  jumping-off  line  of  the 
assaulting  troops. ^'^  Command  posts  were  constructed  at  the 
same  time  for  the  troops  engaged. 

The  trench  mortar  batteries,  both  French  and  American, 
prepared  emplacements  by  night  within  two  hundred  meters 
of  Cantigny  and  moved  their  guns  and  ammunition  into  posi- 
tion by  carrying  them  long  distances  over  trails  that  were 
under  fire." 

[The  attack  was  fixed  for  5:45  a.  m.,  May  28th.  On  the 
nights  of  May  26th-27th  and  27th-28th,  the  28th  Infantry 
re-entered  the  line  and  relieved  the  18th  Infantry,  except  the 
Machine  Gun  Company  of  the  18th  Infantry,  which  remained 
in  position  opposite  Cantigny.^''  This  change,  however,  was  not 
without  incident  (Map  IV) .  At  4 :  30  a  .  m  . ,  May  27th ,  the  enemy 
put  down  a  terrific  artillery  preparation  fire  on  the  entire  line. 
At  6:00  A.  M.  the  fire  changed  to  a  box-barrage  and  a  strong 
raiding  party  endeavored  to  penetrate  the  sub-sectors  of  both 
the  26th  Infantry  and  the  28th  Infantry.  The  troops  replied 
with  such  vigor  and  effect  that  the  affair  ended  shortly  with 
the  Americans  in  portions  of  the  enemy's  trenches.  Three 
German  prisoners  were  captured,  but  the  enemy's  fire  caused 
serious  casualties  in  the  American  regiments.^"  Company  D, 
1st  Engineers,  was  designated  to  accompany  the  28th  Infantry 
to  assist  in  organizing  the  captured  ground,  and  it  entered  the 
line  with  the  infantry.  Shortly  before  the  zero  hour  U\o 
officers  of  the  company  were  killed  and  one  officer  was  wounded 
and  thirty  of  the  men  were  killed  or  wounded.^'  j  The  French 

^'  War  Diarj',  1st  Engineers. 

"  Plan  of  Employment  of  Artillery,  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade. 

»'  F.  O.  No.  18,  First  Division,  1918. 

"^  Intelligence  Summary,  First  Division,  May  26-27,  1918. 

"  War  Diary,  1st  Engineers, 


Upper:  The  28th  Infantry  advancing,  with   French  tanks,  on  Cantigny,  France,  May 

28,  1918. 
Lower:  Machine  gun  in  shell  hole  in  No-Man's-Land, 


82  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

tanks  took  up  their  positions  during  the  niglit  of  May  27th- 
28th  and  the  detachment  of  French  fianie-tiirowers  reported 
at  the  same  time.  The  signal  detachments  accompanied  the 
infantrj'  into  position.  A  dressing  station  was  set  up  at 
Bacouel,  by  Ambulance  Company  No.  3  and  a  detachment 
from  Ambulance  Company  No.  13,  to  receive  and  care  for 
the  wounded.  The  remaining  ambulance  companies  were  ad- 
vanced for  the  operation  and  they  furnished  litter  bearers 
for  the  assaulting  troops. 

The  3d  Battalion  of  the  28th  Infantry  on  the  left  had  its 
jumping-off  position  five  hundred  meters  east  and  northeast 
of  the  Bois  St.  Elois,  with  one  company  in  the  Bois  St.  Elois 
as  regimental  reserve.  The  2d  Battalion  in  the  center  was  in 
position  six  himdred  meters  west  of  Cantigny,  with  one  com- 
pany in  the  Bois  St.  Elois.  The  1st  Battahon  on  the 
right  had  one  company  along  the  western  edge  of  the  Bois  de 
Cantigny,  two  companies  extending  from  the  Bois  Suisse  to  a 
point  one  hundred  meters  north  of  Bois  Carre,  and  one  com- 
pany in  the  Bois  des  Glands  de  Villers  as  regimental  reserve. 
The  Machine  Gun  Company,  28th  Infantry,  was  with  the 
1st  Battalion.'^  Company  C,  3d  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
accompanied  the  2d  Battalion,  and  Company  D,  3d  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  accompanied  the  3d  Battahon.  Two  com- 
panies of  the  18th  Infantry  were  in  reserve  north  of  Villers- 
Tom-nelle  and  on  the  western  side  of  the  Bois  de  Cantign}-. 
Regimental  Headquarters  of  the  28th  Infantry  was  located  in 
a  specially  prepared  command  post  not  far  from  the  center  of 
the  line.i^ 

1  The  Assault. — Diuing  the  hours  preceding  the  assault 
there  was  little  sleep  or  rest  for  anyone  in  the  Division,  as 
those  who  were  not  employed  were  equally  intense  in  their 
interest  in  the  impending  drama.  The  night  of  May  27th- 
28th  was  clear,  but  the  early  morning  hours  brought  the  usual 
haze.  Firing  diu'ing  the  night  was  normal  on  both  sides. 
At  4:45  A.  M.,  May  28th,  all  guns  to  be  emploj^ed  in  the  action 
began  to  verify  their  adjustments,  each  battery  firing  a  few 

"  War  Diary,  2Sth  Infantry. 

"  F.  O.  No.  18,  First  Division,  1918. 


THE   CANTIGNY   SECTOR  83 

shots  at  the  time  prescribed  for  it  in  the  firing  schedule.  At 
5:45,  the  preparation  for  the  attack  began.  With  suddenness, 
every  gun  was  directed  upon  its  prescribed  target  at  the  given 
rate  of  fire.  Not  less  than  two  heavy  guns  pounded  each 
enemy  battery  position  Vvdth  gas  and  high  explosive  shell. 
The  220-,  240-  and  280-mm.  howitzers  and  the  heavy  trench 
mortars  converted  Cantigny  and  the  enemy's  dug-outs  into  a 
volcano  of  bursting  shell  and  flame  and  smoke.  'The  75-mm. 
guns  and  the  155-mm.  howitzers  covered  his  trenches  and  fired 
concentrations  upon  all  machine  gun  positions,  billets  and 
roads.  Areas  occupied  by  hostile  supporting  troops  were 
heavily  gassed.  French  aeroplanes  at  once  took  control  of  the 
air  and  located  all  enemy  batteries  that  replied.  Five  were 
thus  reported  in  action  and  were  soon  smothered  by  the  coun- 
ter-battery guns.  The  machine  guns  joined  the  artillery  and 
sent  a  withering  hail  of  bullets  upon  the  objectives  assigned  to 
them.  At  6:45,  the  75's  changed  their  fire  to  the  rolhng  bar- 
rage that  moved  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  meters  in  two 
minutes.-"  The  infantry  rose  and  advanced  in  three  lines, 
following  closely  upon  the  barrage.  During  the  prehminary 
bombardment  the  tanks  passed  to  the  front  line  and  accom- 
panied the  leading  wave  of  the  infantry.  The  reaction  of  the 
enemy  was  sUght  and  there  were  few  casualties. 

'^The  objective  line  passed  five  hundred  meters  north  of 
Cantigny  and  curved  back  to  the  original  positions  over  a 
front  of  more  than  two  kilometers.  The  left  battalion  marched 
straight  to  the  objective  in  liaison  with  the  152d  French  Divi- 
sion on  the  left  and  with  the  center  battalion  on  the  right. 
The  center  battahon  attacked  Cantigny  from  the  west  and 
north.  The  left  of  the  battalion  marched  straight  to  the 
objective  line.  The  right  of  the  battahon  advanced  through 
the  village,  overcoming  all  resistance  encountered.  The  right 
battahon  moved  straight  to  the  objective.  The  entire  objec- 
tive was  reached  at  7:20  a.  m.  on  schedule  time.  Patrols  were 
pushed  forward  and  automatic  rifle  posts  were  established  in 
shell  holes  to  cover  the  consolidation  of  the  front  line.  The 
second  line  dug  trenches  and  strung  wire  on  the  position 

-"  Plan  of  Employment  of  Artillerj',  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade. 


84  HISTORY   OF   THE   FHIST   DIVISION 

selected  for  resistance.  The  thiixl  line  organized  tliree  strong 
l)oints,  one  two  hundred  meters  east  of  the  Chateau  at  Can- 
tigny,  the  second  in  the  woods  at  the  northern  edge  of  Cantigny 
and  the  third  at  the  cemetery  north  of  Cantigny.-^ 

I  During  the  mopping  up  of  the  town  there  was  fighting 
at  close  quarters,  but  the  entire  garrison  was  proniptl}^  over- 
come and  made  prisoners.  The  French  flame-throwers  were 
invalual:)le  in  driving  the  enemy  out  of  the  dug-outs.  As  soon 
as  the  objective  was  reached,  the  artillery  enclosed  the  cap- 
tured area  in  a  great  box-barrage,  and  the  machine  gims 
swept  the  ground  in  front  of  the  objective  line  to  protect  the 
consoUdation.  The  signal  troops  followed  the  lines  with  tele- 
phone wire  and  poles  and  maintained  remarkably  satisfactory 
liaison  throughout.  The  advance  of  the  center  of  the  line 
covered  sixteen  hundred  meters  and  the  entu-e  fi'oiit  of  the 
regiment  extended  over  twenty-two  hundi-ed  meters.  Soon 
after  the  attack  began,  prisoners  were  started  to  the  rear. 
In  all,  five  officers  and  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  men  were 
captured.  From  them,  it  was  learned  that  the  attack  came 
as  a  complete  siu-prise.--  It  was  a  tribute  to  the  brave  men 
who  fell  into  the  enemj^'s  hands  in  the  days  preceding  the 
assault  that  they  gave  no  intimation  of  the  preparations  of 
which  they  had  full  knowledge.  The  bodies  of  many  dead 
Germans  were  found  in  Cantigny  and  in  various  parts  of  the 
trenches. 

(As  was  expected,  the  great  difficulty  lay  not  so  much  in 
the  capture  of  the  position  as  in  holding  it.  Unfortunately, 
the  infantrj'  was  no  sooner  on  the  o1)jective  Une  than  the 
French  began  withdrawing  the  coimter-batter}'  artillerj^  and 
sent  it  to  oppose  the  German  advance,  which  had  begun  the 
previous  day  in  the  direction  of  Compiegne.  This  freed  the 
hostile  batteries,  which  began  at  once  to  pound  the  exposed 
men  in  the  captured  position.  All  the  heavy  howitzers  at  the 
disposal  of  the  First  Division  were  devoted  to  counter-battery, 
l)ut  neither  their  range  nor  their  numbers  could  greatly  reduce 


-'  Report  of  First  Division,  December  18,  1918. 

"  InteliiKenee  Summary,  First  Division,  May  28-29,  1918.    Report  First  Division, 
December  IS,  1918. 


THE   CANTIGNY   SECTOR  85 

the  enemy's  fire.  By  n<K»ii,  (lie  urtillery  mid  nuieliine  gun  fire 
upon  the  saUent  became  intense  and  continued  for  forty- 
eight  hours.  Small  local  counter-attacks  were  made  at  7:30 
A.  M.,  and  at  9 : 00  A.  M.,  but  these  were  easily  destroyed  by  the 
covering  fire  and  by  the  riflemen  against  whom  they  were 
directed.  At  5:10  p.  m.,  another  small  counter-attack  was 
caught  by  the  artillery  barrage  and  went  to  pieces.  Shortly 
after  this,  the  enemy  delivered  a  heavy  fire  for  destruction, 
and  then  came  a  rolling  barrage  followed  by  several  wa,ves  of 
infanti-y  from  the  southern  and  western  edges  of  the  Bois  de 
Framicourt.  The  first  wave  broke  under  the  infantrj-  and 
machine  gun  fire  and  the  succeeding  ones  were  crushed  by  the 
artillery,  machine  guns  and  infantry.  Much  of  the  forcejDf 
this  assault  fell  on  the  1st  Battalion,  26th  Infantry,  \A'hich 
suffered  heavy  casualties.  During  the  night  of  May  28th- 
29th,  the  two  companies  of  the  18th  Infantry  in  reserve  were 
ordered  to  reinforce  the  line.-''  Company  D,  1st  Engineers, 
was  also  employed  as  an  infantry  reinforcement  south  of 
Cantigny. 

l_On  May  29th  two  small  counter-attacks  were  launched 
between  6:00  and  7:00  a.  m.,  but  did  not  progress  under  the 
protective  barrage.  In  the  afternoon,  however,  the  enemy's 
artillery  deUvered  another  heavy  preparation  and  at  5 :  45 
p.  M.  a  strong  and  determined  assault  was  made  against  the 
left  of  the  Une.  Again  the  artillery,  infantry  and  machine 
guns  drove  the  assailants  back  with  great  loss,  but  on  the 
extreme  left  the  advanced  elements  of  the  28th  Infantry  drew 
back  to  the  old  line.  Not  yet  reconciled  to  his  defeat,  at 
5:  30  A.  M.,  May  30th,  the  enemy  made  his  final  effort  to  retake 
the  coveted  ground.  Again,  his  artillery  concentrated  all  its 
fury  against  the  tenacious  Americans.  Two  well-formed 
waves  of  infantrj^,  preceded  by  the  rolling  barrage,  advanced 
determinedly  from  the  Bois  de  Lalval,  but  the  sleej^less  Amer- 
ican artillery,  the  machine  gunners  and  the  brave  defenders  of 
the  conquered  ground  swept  the  Germans  back  before  the 
position  was  reached.  In  all  these  trying  days,  the  French  air 
service  rendered  the  most  valuable  help  in  locating  the  ad- 

■'  Report  First  Division,  December  18,  1918. 


86  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

vanced  American  lines,  discovering  enemy  movements,  adjust- 
ing fire  on  enemy  batteries  and  preventing  serious  hostile 
air  raids.-'' 

LOn  the  night  of  May  30th-31st,  the  16th  Infantry  relieved 
both  the  28th  Infantry  and  the  18th  Infantry  and  took  over 
the  defense  and  consolidation  of  the  new  line.-*  At  this  time, 
the  American  losses  since  the  operation  began  were  as  follows: 

Killed 13  officers,    186  men 

Wounded 31  officers,    621  men 

Missing 1  officer,        15  men 

Gassed )     ;<,^,__200  men^ 

Total 45  officers,  1022  men=« 

This  number  of  losses  occurring  in  such  a  short  time  irrade 
a  profound  impression  upon  the  Division,  but  the  success 
heightened  the  morale  and  the  troops  engaged  were  able  to 
retake  their  places  in  the  line  at  the  end  of  a  week. 

The  purpose  for  which  the  Cantigny  operation  had  been 
undertaken  was  fully  accomplished.  As  the  first  American 
offensive,  it  inspired  the  confidence  of  the  Allies  and  had  a 
correspondingly  depressing  effect  upon  the  enemy.  Coming  at 
a  moment  when  the  enemy's  forces  were  gaining  grovmd  in  a 
new  offensive  and  when  the  remainder  of  the  Allied  front  was 
struggling  to  hold,  it  produced  a  psychological  effect  of  far- 
reaching  consequences.  On  May  28th  the  Commander-in-Chief 
wrote  a  letter  to  the  Division  Commander  in  which  he  said: 

Please  accept  my  hearty  congratulations  upon  the  marked  success 
of  the  attack  made  by  your  Division  this  morning  upon  Cantigny.  Extend 
to  all  concerned  my  warm  apjjreciation  of  the  splendid  spirit  displayed 
and  the  well-ordered  fashion  in  which  the  details  of  the  plans  were  carried 
out.  This  engagement,  though  relatively  small,  marks  a  distinct  step 
forward  in  American  participation  in  the  war. 

In  recognition  of  the  heroism  and  sacrifices  of  the  28th 
Infantry  in  the  assault  and  capture  of  Cantigny,  the  regiment 
received  the  followdng  letter  of  commendation  from  the  Divi- 
sion Commander: 

2^  Report  First  Division,  December  18,  1918. 
»  Order  \o.  107,  2d  Brigade,  May  29,  1918. 
-'  Casualty  Records,  First  Division. 


THE  CANTIGNY  SECTOR  87 

Headquarters  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  June  2,  1918. 
From:       Commanding  General,  First  Division. 
To:  Conunanding    Officer    28th    Infantry     (Thi'ough    Commanding 

General,  2d  Brig.). 
Subject:    Commendation  of  the  28th  Infantry  for  capture  and  holding  of 
Cantigny. 

1.  The  Division  Commander  takes  great  pleasure  and  feels  it  his 
duty  to  recognize,  as  much  as  in  him  lies,  the  gallant  and  efficient  action 
and  bravery  of  your  regiment  in  the  taking  and  holding  of  Cantigny  for 
three  days.  May  28th,  29th  and  30th,  under  the  most  determined  resistance 
and  repeated  counter-attacks  of  the  enemy.  Your  losses  in  officers  and 
men  were  very  large  and  the  strain  upon  you  very  great,  but  you  won. 
Your  conduct  was  admirable. 

2.  The  Division  Commander  will  use  every  effort  to  cause  due  recog- 
nition to  be  given  to  all  worthy  instances  of  gallantry  and  self-sacrifice. 
Communicate  the  thanks  of  the  Division  Commander  to  your  regiment. 

(Signed)     R.  L.  Bullard, 

Major  General,  N.  A.,  Commanding. 

1st  Ind. 

Hq.  2d  Inf.  Brig.,  France,  5th  June,  1918— To  Commanding  Officer,  28th 
Infantry. 

1.  It  is  with  great  pleasure  the  Brigade  Commander  transmits  to' 
the  regiment  this  recognition  of  the  Division  Conunander  for  their  bravery, 
endurance,  and  heroism  in  successfully  accomplishing  their  mission,  while 
sustaining  losses  which  are  considered  ver-\'  near  the  limit  of  endurance 
for  seasoned  veterans. 

By  Command  of  Brigadier  General  Buck: 

(Signed)     J.  R.  Brewer, 

Major,  Infantry, 
Brigade    Adjutant. 

The  regiment  also  received  the  following  citation  from 
Marshal  Petain: 

General  Headquarters, 
French  Armies  of  the  East 

Staff 
Personnel  Bureau  General  Orders,  No.  11.875  "D" 

Decorations 
After  api^roval  of  the  General  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  A.  E.  F.  in 
France,  the  Marshal  of  France,  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  French  Armies 
of  the  East,  cites  in  Army  Orders ; 


88  HISTORY   OF   THE    FIRST   DIVISION 

28th  Regiment  of  U.  S.  Infantry: 
"A  regiment  inspired  by  a  magnificent  offensive  spirit,  under  command 
of  Colonel  H.  E.  Ely,  this  regiment  rushed  forward  with  irresistil)le  dash 
to  attack  a  strongly  fortified  village.    It  reached  all  its  objectives  and  held 
the  conquered  ground  in  spite  of  repeated  counter-attacks." 
General  Headquarters,  November  24,  1918. 
The  Marshal  of  France, 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  French  Armies 
of  the  East : 

(Signed)     Petain. 

Picardy. —  As  was  to  be  expected,  the  Cantigny  operation 
increased  the  activity  of  the  sector.  The  enemy's  artiUery 
redoubled  its  efforts  against  the  front  lines  and  the  battery 
positions.J  All  the  French  artillery  was  withdrawn  except  the 
fortress  homtzers.  whose  range  extended  only  to  the  enemy's 
front  line.  The  American  gunners  were  thus  compelled  to 
increase  the  fire  of  their  batteries,  which  they  were  only  too 
glad  to  do.  I  Meanwhile,  the  powerful  German  offensive,  which 
had  been  launched  Maj^  27th  from  the  Chemin-des-Dames, 
was  moving  toward  Pai'is  with  alarming  rapidity.  It  was, 
therefore,  necessary  for  the  French  to  take  divisions  from  the 
line  to  oppose  this  new  danger,  and  one  of  those  selected  was 
the  left  of  the  First  Division.J  This  withdrawal  resulted  in 
the  Division  being  ordered  to  take  over  this  additional  sector 
and  thereby  extend  its  front  to  five  and  one-half  kilometers. 
The  1st  German  Reserve  Division  was  opposite  the  extension 
of  the  front  of  the  First  Division." 

The  relief  of  the  French  was  executed  on  the  nights  of 
June  lst-2d  and  2d-3d.  In  the  rearrangement  of  the  sub- 
sectors  the  regiments  were  placed  in  the  order  from  right  to 
left,  26th  Infantry,  28th  Infantry,  16th  Infantry  and  18th 
Infantry.  The  2d  Machine  Gun  BattaUon  was  ^^'ith  the  1st 
Brigade  and  the  3d  Machine  Gim  Battalion  was  ^nth  the  2d 
Brigade.  The  1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion  was  disposed  over 
the  Division  front.  At  the  same  time,  the  depth  of  the  def(!nse 
was  increased  so  as  to  expose  a  minimum  of  troops  in  the  front 
lines.  In  consequence,  there  was  a  general  i-eassignment  of 
command  posts  beliind  the  line  of  resistance.    Division  Head- 

"  War  Diary,  First  Division,    (icnnan  order  of  battle. 


MARSHAL   PKTAIN 

Couiiiiuncler-in-Chief  of  the  French  Armies  of  the  East,  who  awarded  the  Fourragere  to 

the  coiiihat  units  of  the  First  Division 


THE   CANTIGNY  SECTOR  91 

quarters  and  the  Headciuarters  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade 
went  to  Tartigny.  The  Headquarters  of  the  2d  Brigade  and 
of  the  26th  Infantry  moved  to  Mesnil-8t.  Firniin;  the  Head- 
quarters 28th  Infantry  to  Rocquencourt;  the  Headquarters 
1st  Brigade  to  Folleville;  the  Headquarters  16th  Infantry  to 
Quiry-le-Sec  and  the  Headquarters  18th  Infantry  to  Esclain- 
villers.^^  This  involved  extensive  line  construction  for  com- 
munications, which  the  signal  troops  accomplished  without 
any  inconvenience  to  the  command.  „ 

I  Information  as  to  the  enemy's  intentions  now  became  all  j  os  h 
important.  Raiding  parties  were  sent  out  by  each  regiment  Ca-^i 
and  prisoners  were  brought  in  almost  nightly.  After  midnight 
and  during  the  early  morning  hours,  the  artillery  fired  intense 
counter-preparation  with  a  view  to  reaching  the  enemy's 
troops  and  breaking  up  his  formations  in  case  he  should  be 
preparing  to  launch  an  attack.  At  last,  the  French  High 
Command  obtained  definite  information  that  the  expected 
offensive  would  fall  on  the  Montdidier-Noyon  front  about 
June  9th.  On  the  evening  of  June  6th  the  alert  or  battle 
positions  were  taken  up  by  the  entire  Division. =^  The  orders 
were  for  the  line  of  resistance  and  all  elements  in  advance  of 
it  to  fight  in  place.  There  was  perfect  confidence  that  no 
German  forces  could  pass  the  line  chosen  for  defense.  Signals 
were  arranged  for  the  shifting  of  the  artiUery  fire  to  cover  this 
position  in  case  the  forward  area  of  the  sector  was  penetrated. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  June  9th  an  intense  bombardment 
of  shell  and  gas  descended  upoiT  the  front  Unes  and  the  back 
area.^"  The  fire  was  especially  severe  upon  the  26th  Infantry, 
which  suffered  many  casualties.  To  the  right,  the  terrific 
cannonading  was  evidence  that  the  battle  was  on.  The  26th 
Infantry  took  the  necessary  precautions  to  protect  its  right 
flank.  The  enemy's  bombardment  continued  almost  unabated 
through  June  13th,  by  which  time  the  offensive  had  been 
checked  by  the  French  reserves. 

iDuring  this  period,  enemy  aviation  was  most  aggressive 

"^  Report  First  Division,  April  2.5,  July  7  and  December  27,  1918.    Station  Lists. 

"  F.  O.  No.  23,  First  Division,  1918. 

=°  Intelligence  Summary,  First  Division,  June  9,  1918. 


t)2  HISU'OKY   OF   THE   FIHS'i'   DIMSION 

und  both  the  front  lines  and  the  rear  lU'cas  were  extensively 
bombed  with  many  resulting  casualti(>s.  The  French  balloons 
that  served  the  Division  were  often  l)urned  by  the  enemj' 
planes  and  highly  spectacular  aeroplane  fights  were  of  common 
occurrence. 

(^Following  this  period  of  intense  activity,  the  sector  re- 
sumed its  normal  state.  Raids  in  force  and  silent  raids  with 
from  ten  to  one  hundred  men  were  often  sent  out  from  the 
American  lines.  One  of  the  most  successful  was  made  on  the 
night  of  June  29th  by  the  1st  Battalion,  26th  Infantry.  Four 
officers  and  eighty-three  men  entered  the  German  lines  at 
Bois  de  Fontaine.  They  killed  a  number  of  the  enemj^  and 
brought  back  thirty-five  prisoners,  including  one  officer  and 
five  non-commissioned  officers.  Unfortunately,  the  gallant 
officer  who  led  the  patrol  so  brilliantlv  and  one  of  his  men  were 
killed  and  five  men  were  wounded. ^^ 

I  Life  in  the  trenches  was  one  of  great  hardship.  The  men 
had  an  average  of  onlj'  one  meal  a  day,  and  nothing  short  of 
extreme  hunger  could  have  made  that  palatable.  Water  for 
washing  was  unknown.  No  issue  of  clothing  could  be  made. 
Lice  infested  the  garments  worn,  and  it  was  only  during  the 
rest  in  the  back  area  that  delousing  could  take  place.  The 
1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  Headquarters  published  daily  a 
short  mimeographed  bulletin  containing  a  few  of  the  principal 
news  items  and  some  original  jokes  sent  in  by  the  troops.  It 
was  accompanied  by  a  supplement  showing  a  caricature  of 
something  of  general  interest  that  gave  amusement.  At  the 
batteiy  positions,  the  gun  squads  vied  with  each  other  in 
beautifying  their  emplacements.  Highly  polished  cartridge 
cases,  filled  with  gorgeous  red  poppies,  or  with  varieties  of 
blue  and  yellow  flowers,  adorned  the  walls  about  the  guns. 
There  were  also  posted  framed  pictures  and  verses,  and  even 
the  firing  data  were  artistically  mounted.  The  gun  and  its 
carriage  were  kept  like  a  ]iiece  of  polished  jewehy  and  the 
floor  was  as  neat  as  sweeping  and  scraping  could  make  it. 
On  crawling  into  one  of  these  miniature  camouflaged  forts, 
it  looked  more  like  a  niche  in  a  tea  garden  than  the  home  of  a 

^'  War  Diaries,  2d  Brigade  and  26th  Inf.intry. 


THE   CANTIGNY   SECTOR  'J3 

murderous  weapon  that  never  cooled  in  its  mission  of  sustain- 
ing the  battle.  _ 

Tlii'oughout  tliis  period  there  was  no  more  faithful  ser- 
vant of  the  Division  than  the  1st  Mobile  Ordnance  Repair 
Shop.  \  The  enemy's  fire  destroyed  or  injured  many  guns  and 
many  offiers  were  disabled  through  extreme  use  and  premature 
explosions.  Almost  nightly  a  stream  of  broken  materiel 
flowed  into  the  shop  and  a  corresponding  stream  of  repaired 
materiel  flowed  to  the  positions  at  the  front.  The  volume  of 
work  on  small  arms  was  quite  as  great  as  that  on  artillery 
materiel.  The  entu-e  personnel  labored  without  rest,  with  a 
singleness  of  purpose  that  rivaled  that  of  the  men  in  the  front 
lines. 

(M^achine  Shop  Truck  Units  Nos.  2  and  301  were  estab- 
lished and  operated  to  kee])  the  motor  transport  in  repair. 
Without  the  skill  and  industry  that  the  personnel  brought  to 
their  tasks,  the  trains  would  have  been  helpless. 

\^n  account  of  the  large  number  of  casualties,  the  Field 
Hospitals  and  Ambulance  Companies  were  constantly  called 
upon  to  meet  the  most  exacting  demands.  Field  Hospital 
No.  2  was  at  La  Neuville-St.  Pierre.  Between  May  3d  and 
July  6th  it  had  1383  admissions.  No.  3  was  at  Froissy  and 
Paillart,  and  from  April  26th  to  July  6th  it  had  917  admissions. 
No.  12  functioned  'at  Bonvillers  and  had  1220  admissions 
between  April  22d  and  July  8th.  No.  13,  at  Vendeuil-Caply , 
handled  more  than  a  thousand  patients.  It  was  so  badly 
shelled  that  the  position  was  abandoned.  J 

All  ambulance  companies  supplied  litter  bearers  to  the 
infantry  in  the  trenches  besides  handling  the  sick  and  wounded. 
No.  3  worked  successively  from  Bonvillers  and  Bacouel, 
where  it  conducted  an  advance  dressing  station.  From  Aj^ril 
21st  to  July  6th  it  moved  three  thousand  patients.  No.  13 
was  at  Mesnil-St.  Firmin  and  La  Neuville-St.  Pierre.  No.  2 
was  at  La  Neuville-St.  Piei-i'(;,  and  No.  3  was  at  Bonvillers. 

Sanitary  Service  Unit  No.  649  was  attached  to  the  Divi- 
sion and  assisted  faithfully  in  the  evacuation  of  the  wounded. 
Surgical  Teams  Nos.  2  and  3  and  Mobile  Surgical  Unit  No.  2 
were  attached  to  Field  Hospital  No.  12,  which  received  only 
seriously  wounded  and  non-transportable  cases. 


I'l'i'EK:   Military  polieo  brinf^inp;  (ieniiun  prisoners  oapturcii  by  l''irst  Divisiiin  drive. 
Lo'tt'ER:    German  prisoners  and  machine  gun  captured  liy  men  of  the  2Sth  Infantry  at 
Lahayville,  F'rance. 


THE  CANTIGNY  SECTOR  95 

On  account  of  the  excessive  demands  upon  the  horse 
battaUon  of  the  ammmiition  train  to  reach  positions  that  were 
inaccessible  to  trucks,  the  mules  of  Pack  Train  No.  10  were 
harnessed  to  the  wagons  and  did  their  full  share  of  the  work. 
^iWith  the  coming  of  summer,  the  country  took  on  an 
unwonted  beauty.  In  every  direction,  fields  were  ablaze  with 
the  bright  red  poppies  that  are  inseparable  from  thoughts  of 
Picardy.  These  were  rivaled  by  acres  of  blue  and  yellow 
flowers  and  by  the  vast  stretches  of  swaying  grain  that  defied 
even  war  in  its  gro^^i:h  and  maturity.  The  invigorating  air 
and  the  wondei-ful  starry  nights  challenged  one  to  enjoy  them, 
however  great  his  burdens  or  his  dangers.  Here,  at  last,  the 
thousands  of  horses  that  had  suffered  for  food  found  an  abun- 
dance of  tender  grasses,  as  well  as  of  the  more  substantial 
forage,  and  the  well-muscled,  smooth-coated  stock  that  rested 
on  the  picket  lines  were  not  recognizable  as  the  emaciated 
beasts  that  could  scarcely  stand  up  under  their  riders  a  few 
months  before.! 

With  the  approach  of  July  4th  plans  were  made  for  fitting 
observance.  The  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  organized  a 
horse  show.  For  weeks  in  advance  the  keenest  rivah-y  existed 
in  preparing  entries.  The  day  came  clear  and  bright.  Hidden 
from  the  enemy  aviators,  under  the  century-old  trees  in  the 
park  of  the  great  Chateau  of  Tartigny,  the  broad  avenue  was 
brilliant  ^\ath  shining  artillery  horses,  carriages  and  harness 
and  gay  with  the  uniforms  of  French,  British  and  American 
visitors.  Even  ladies  came  to  assist  by  their  presence.  The 
veteran  General  Tartigny  was  himself  one  of  the  judges.  The 
entries  were  in  such  a  state  of  excellence  that  the  judges  had 
no  easy  task  in  arriving  at  their  decisions.  The  Horse  Battalion 
of  the  Ammunition  Train  had  a  highly  creditable  team  con- 
test and  the  Motor  Battalion  conducted  a  competition  that 
would  have  been  marvelous  under  the  most  favorable  condi- 
tions. Yet,  every  entry  worked  nightly  dehvering  its  loads 
at  the  front. 

At  the  same  time,  the  infantry  brigades  conducted  con- 
tests in  their  transportation.  There  were  emplacement  con- 
tests by  the  artillery  to  determine  thebestarranged  gun  pits, 


96  HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DRTSION 

the  most  skilfully  canioufhigcd  positions  ;uid  the  most  highly 
cared-for  guns.  There  were  also  kitchen  contests,  and  the 
Judges  found  that  the  patches  of  woods  about  the  kitchens 
had  been  converted  into  fairy-like  gardens  with  white-bordered 
paths  and  artistic  bowers,  formed  by  binding  together  the  tops 
of  the  small  trees.  Polished  kitchen  ecjuipment  that  would 
have  gladdened  the  eye  of  the  most  exacting  chef  gave  evi- 
dence of  the  pride  of  the  cooks.  The  winners  in  all  the  con- 
tests received  generous  purses  and  a  few^  days'  pass  in  Paris^ 
where  they  were  immediately  sent  in  trucks. 

A  battalion  of  the  ISth  Infantry  and  a  l^attalion  of  the 
44th  French  Infantry  were  rexie^^ed  together  by  General 
Vandenburg,  who  commanded  the  10th  French  Corps,  which 
had  succeeded  the  6th  French  Corps  on  this  front.  In  accord- 
ance with  the  time-honored  custom,  a  salute  to  the  Union  was 
fired  at  noon.  It  consisted  of  forty-eight  salvos  of  155-mm. 
shell  fired  into  the  most  sensitive  parts  of  the  enemy's  positions. 
In  lieu  of  the  usual  fireworks,  of  which  there  was  always  an 
abundance  along  the  front  lines,  the  75-mm.  regiments  fired 
at  night  the  first  6000  rounds  of  French  mustard  gas  issued  to 
the  Americans,  as  concentrations  upon  the  enemy's  trenches, 
kitchens  and  battery  positions.  The  16th  Infantry  sent  out  a 
small  raiding  part}^  and  brought  in  three  prisoners,  seemingly 
by  way  of  a  reminder  that  the  vigil  was  not  relaxed  nor  the 
combat  suspended  even  on  America's  greatest  of  holidax^s,  the 
nation's  birthday.'-  That  day  General  Vandenburg  issued  the 
following  order: 

10th  Army  Corps. 

No.  818  C.  July  4,  1918. 

GENERAL  ORDER 

The  General,  Officer.s  and  Men  of  the  First  Di\'ision: 
Tomorrow  the  first  elements  of  your  Division  will  depart  from  the 
area  of  the  10th  Ai-my  Corps.    In  fom-  days  you  will  have  left  us. 

I  am  still  deeply  impressed  by  the  celebration  of  your  "Independence 
Day"  and  by  the  magnificent  show  I  witnessed  this  morning  in  reviewing 
one  of  your  battalions  and  saluting  the  Star  Spangled  Banner.  I  wish  to 
express  to  you  the  regret  that  I  and  all  the  officers  and  men  of  the  10th 

^  War  Diary,  2d  Brigade. 


-vCI' 


«     ■     >     . 


1 » I' 

r 


_       Is 


iX.-> 


.jijJUi^-L— M 


"'^Br 


1    ^ 


!        1         I 

1      i      < 


■irAf^- 


it 


*«.    ^-^ 


"a.  *  ■;>■' 


— -,.  ^. 


Hi.  -    m  .     in      ' 


THE   CANTIGNY   SECTOR  97 

Army  Corps  feel  at  seeiiifi'  you  leave  this  sector  where  you  have  shed  your 
generous  blood  and  earned  your  first  success. 

In  this  sector  the  P'rench  soldiers  are  called  "The  Men  of  Grivesnes" 
and  you,  Sons  of  America,  we  are  happ>'  to  call  "The  Men  of  Cantigny." 

General,  Officers  and  Men  of  the  First  Division: 

In  bidding  you  farewell  I  wish  you  the  glorious  fortune  which  your 
gallantry  deserves.  As  war  may  bring  us  together  again,  I  do  not  say 
"Adieu"  but  "Au  revoir." 

Genehal  Vandenburg, 
Commanding  the  10th  Army  Corps. 

These  evidences  of  high  morale  and  confidence,  based  on 
proved  efficiency,  brought  to  a  fitting  close  the  eventful  i^eriod 
that  had  its  influence  in  molding  the  character  of  the  Di\asion 
and  everyone  who  shared  its  experiences  in  Picardy.  Already, 
the  hand  of  destiny  was  guiding  it  to  ne\\'  fields  and  greater 
achievements.  Orders  came  for  the  Division  to  be  relieved 
1iy  the  152d  and  the  166th  French  Divisions.  Their  staff 
officers  and  advance  parties  were  arriving  in  the  sector  to 
arrange  the  details.  The  relief  began  on  the  night  of  July 
5th-6th  and  was  completed  on  the  night  of  July  7th-8th. 
On  the  latter  date,  the  command  of  the  sector  passed  to  the 
two  French  Generals.  Division  Headquarters  moved  to 
Nivillers  near  Beauvais.^''  The  troops  were  billeted  in  the 
towns  of  the  vicinity.  The  2d  Brigade  and  the  7th  Field 
Artillery  were  designated  as  reserves  of  the  10th  French  Corps. 

The  Division  had  been  continuously  in  an  active  sector 
for  seventy-two  days,  and  it  had  fought  a  small  but  briUiant 
offensive.    During  this  time  its  losses  amounted  to: 

Killed  or  died  of  wounds 64  officers,     958  men 

Wounded 88  officers,  3,809  men  \^ 

Prisoners  or  missing 9  men 


34 


Total 152  officers,  4,776  men' 

As  soon  as  the  men  had  been  given  a  short  rest  a  schedule 
was  prepared  for  training  in  open  warfare.  Replacements 
arrived  and  the  troops  were  fully  equipped.     Now,  however, 

3=  F.  O.  No.  2.5,  First  Division,  191S. 
*■  Casualty  Records,  First  Division. 


98 


HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


events  were  moving  rai)i(l]y,  and  it  was  soon  realized  that  the 
training  schcdtde  was  never  to  go  into  effect.  Lessons  were 
to  be  learned  by  sterner  teachings  than  those  of  the  drill  field 
and  the  maneuver  ground. 


0 


ft.- 


^^P* 


*         ^         \   ) 


Summer — Soissons 


CHAPTER  V 


SOISSONS 


The  Marne  Salient. — Continuing  the  gi-eat  drive  com- 
menced on  May  27th.  the  enemy  had  eaten  a  great  pocket^into 
the  French  lines  between^oissons  and  Reims  that  extended 
td^tTie  Marne  River  over  a  broad  front  (Map  V).  It  was 
known  that  he  had  immense  forces  in  this  sahent,  with  quanti- 
ties of  stores  and  munitions,  and  there  was  abundant  evidence 
that  Ee  mtended  to  continue  his  advance  toward  Paris  by 
widening  and  extending  his  gains.  The  troops  along  the 
Marne  had  checked  his  advance,  but  another  assault  might 
well  overwhelm  them  and  open  the  way  to  Paris. 

These  were  critical  days  and  requu-ed  great  skill  and 
courage  in  the  High  Command.  Fortunate  indeed  were  the 
Allies  that  these  qualities  were  combined  in  the  distinguished 
soldier  to  whom  they  had  entrusted  their  Armies.  The  surest 
way  to  check  the  enemy's  advance  was  to  attack  his  flanks 
at  the  base  of  the  Marne  Salient,  either  west  of  Soissons  or 
east  of  Reims.  The  German  High  Command  was  well  aware 
of  the  sensitiveness  of  these  points  and  had  taken  the  precau- 
tion to  place  along  the  Soissons  front  some  of  its  best  troops. 

Marshal  Foch  selected  this  front  for  his  counter-offensive 
(Map  VI).  The  10th  French  Army,  commanded  by  the 
redoubtable  General  Mangin,  was  entrusted  with  the  assault. 
The  spearhead  of  the  thrust  was  to  be  the  20th  Corps  under 
General  Berdoulat,  who  was  scarcelj'  less  celebrated  than 
General  Mangin  as  a  fighter.  The  troops  assigned  to  the  Corps 
were  the  First  American  Division  on  the  left,  the  1st  Moroccan 
Division  in  the  center  and  the  2d  American  Division  on  the 
right.^  The  enemy  was  flushed  with  a  succession  of  victories, 
and,  in  view  of  his  strengih  and  morale,  it  was  certain  that 
the  attack  would  meet  with  terrific  resistance.  It  was  essential, 
therefore,  that  it  should  begin  as  a  surprise.  Only  the  mini- 
mum of  time  was  allowed  to  assemble  the  trooj^s  and  they 

'  Orders  232,  4th  French  Army. 

( 99  ) 


l()(j  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

were  kept  in  ignorance  of  their  mission  until  the  last  moment. 
When,  therefore,  the  First  Division  began  moving  from  the 
Beauvais  Aj-ea,  the  men  little  dreamed  of  the  momentous 
role  that  they  were  soon  to  bear,  and  many  thought  that  they 
were  en  route  to  a  rest  area.  Indeed,  reason  for  this  conclu- 
sion was  found  in  the  organization  of  a  composite  battalion 
from  the  four  infantry  regiments  and  the  artillery  bands  that 
was  sent  to  Paris  to  participate  in  celebrating  the  French 
National  hoHday,  July  14th. ^ 

The  First  Division  Advances. — On  July  1 1th  orders  were 
received  at  Xivillers  placing  the  Division  at  the  disposal  of 
the  10th  French  Army  and  ordering  its  movement  to  the  area 
of  Dammartin-en-Goele,  northeast  of  Paris.  French  truck 
trains  were  made  available  for  the  dismounted  troops.  The 
mounted  troops  were  ordered  to  proceed  by  marching.  The 
entire  Division  was  required  to  move  only  at  night  and  to 
remain  in  the  woods  or  villages  during  the  day,  in  order  to 
prevent  discovery  by  the  enemy's  aviators.^ 

The  field  artillery  and  trains  left  the  Beauvais  Area  late 
on  the  afternoon  of  July  12th  and  began  a  march  that  was 
made  memorable  by  the  hardsliips  endured  by  men  and  ani- 
mals. During  the  nights  of  July  12th,  13th  and  14th  the 
march  was  pressed  to  the  limit  of  their  strength,  covering  from 
thirty  to  forty -five  kilometers  each  night.  With  little  sleep 
during  the  day,  the  men  devoted  themselves  to  caring  for  the 
animals  and  equipment  and  to  preparations  for  continuing 
the  journey.  On  July  15th,  it  was  found  that  the  horses  could 
not  bring  the  guns  to  the  field  of  battle  in  sufficient  time,  and 
accordingly  the  75-mm.  guns  and  tlieii-  giui  squads  were  placed 
in  French  trucks  and  transported  during  tlie  nights  of  July 
15th-16th  and  16th-17th  to  near  the  positions  that  they  were 
to  occupy.  The  horses  drawing  the  limbers  were  forced  over 
great  distances  and  reached  their  guns  on  the  night  of  July 
17th-lSth,  when,  without  halting,  they  drew  the  batteries  to 
the  firing  emplacements.  The  155-mm.  howitzers  could  not  be 
placed  in  trucks  and  the  horses  were  compelled  to  drag  their 

-  War  Diaries,  First  Division  Units. 
'  F.  O.  No.  26,  First  Division,  1918. 


Upper:    Members  of  Ambulance  Co.  No.  12  rendering  first  aid  at  dressing  station  at 
Lahayville,  France. 
ver:  Gassed  patients 
near  Claiily,  France. 


Lahavville,  France.  t,-,jtt      -^  i  ivt     io 

Lower:  Gassed  patients  of  First  Division,  with  eyes  bandaged,  at  Field  Hospital  No.  U, 


102  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

heavy  loads  until  the  morning  of  July  17th.  That  afternoon 
the  guns  were  taken  in  tow  by  trucks,  which  moved  them  to 
their  emplacements  during  the  night.  In  the  meantime,  recon- 
naissance parties  and  details  to  prepare  emplacements  were 
sent  forward  in  trucks  from  all  the  artillery  regiments. 

The  dismounted  troops  entrucked  on  July  12th  and  were 
transported  to  the  area  of  Dammartin-en-Goele,  where  they 
arrived  on  July  13th.  The  discomforts  of  a  crowded  truck 
jolting  over  the  war-worn  roads  at  a  uniform  speed,  regardless 
or  holes  and  humps,  were  almost  as  exhausting  as  marching 
on  foot.  The  infantrymen  thus  whisked  along  \^dthout  sleep 
and  with  cramped  limbs  suffered  almost  to  the  limit  of  their 
strength  during  the  long  hours  of  the  night.  The  employment 
of  trucks,  however,  had  the  advantage  of  insuring  the  con- 
centration at  the  specified  time. 

In  the  meantime,  all  motorized  elements  had  followed  the 
movement.  On  July  13th,  Division  Headquarters  was  estab- 
Ushed  at  Dammartin-en-Goele.*  Orders  were  received  assigning 
the  Division  to  the  20th  French  Corps  and  ordering  it  to  pro- 
ceed to  the  sector  held  by  that  Corps  southwest  of  Soissons. 

On  the  night  of  July  14th-15th,  the  Germans  renewed 
the  offensive  along  the  Marne  and  east  and  west  of  Reims, 
and  crossed  the  Marne  on  a  front  of  more  than  eighteen 
kilometers.  The  wdsdom  with  which  the  French  High  Com- 
mand had  proceeded  to  prepare  its  counter-offensive  appeared 
to  be  nothing  less  than  providential,  as  in  no  other  way  could 
the  Allies  now  stop  the  victorious  foe.  On  the  night  of  July 
15th-16th  the  infantry  regiments  of  the  First  Division,  the 
machine  gun  battalions  and  the  1st  Engineers  were  conveyed 
in  trucks  to  the  eastern  edge  of  the  forest  of  Compiegne,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Pierrefonds.  Division  Headquarters  moved  to 
Mortefontaine  on  July  16th.  During  that  night,  the  28th 
Infantry,  one  battaUon  of  the  16th  Infantry  and  one  battalion 
of  the  18th  Infantry  marched  to  the  vicinity  of  Mortefontaine. 
The  night  was  marked  by  a  German  air  raid,  in  which  the 
hostile  planes  dropped  bombs  over  the  roads,  woods  antl 
villages.^    As  if  to  increase  the  difficulties,  the  weather  was 

*  War  Diary,  First  Division. 

'  War  Diaries,  First  Division  Units. 


SOISSONS  103 

rainy  jind  the  roada  and  fields  were  deep  in  mud.     No  fires 
were  allowed  and  the  food  was  cold  and  unpalatable. 

Preparation  for  the  Attack. — On  July  15th  the  line  of  the 
western  face  of  the  Marne  salient  turned  sharply  to  the  south 
at  the  point  where  it  crossed  the  Aisne  River  about  fifteen 
kilometers  west  of  Soissons  and  held  a  southerly  direction  to 
a,bout  ten  kilometers  south  of  the  Ourcq  River,  where  it  turned 
southeastward  to  the  Marne.  The  distance  between  the 
Aisne  and  the  Ourcq  was  about  twenty-five  kilometers.  Near 
the  middle  of  this  section,  the  forest  of  Villers  Cotterets  was 
held  by  the  French  and  its  eastern  edge  projected  into  the 
German  line,  making  a  salient  about  three  kilometers  deep. 
It  appeared  that  the  piu-pose  of  the  Allied  High  Command  was 
to  break  the  enemy's  line  between  the  Aisne  and  the  Ourcq, 
and,  pivoting  on  the  Aisne,  advance  eastward  and  northeast- 
ward with  the  light  flank  of  the  attack  passing  through 
Fere-cn-Tardenois  in  the  heart  of  the  salient. 

The  main  force  of  the  assault  was  to  be  made  by  the  20th 
Corps,  whose  zone  of  action  included  a  succession  of  exceed- 
ingly strong  positions  southwest  of  Soissons."  The  front 
assigned  to  the  First  Division  on  the  left  of  the  Corps  covered 
about  twenty-eight  hundi-ed  meters.  The  direction  of  the 
advance  lay  eastward,  and  within  the  Division  boundaries 
lay  portions  of  the  deep  and  swampy  Missy,  Ploisy  and 
Chazelle  ravines.  Beyond  them  lay  the  difficult  Crise  Valley 
witK  extensive  marshy  areas  and  the  heights  of  Buzancy  that 
gave  the  enemy  command  of  the  battlefield.  The  terrain  was 
rolling  and  covered  with  fields  of  grain,  waist-  and  breast-high. 
It  was  crossed  by  the  Paris-Soissons  road  and  the  road  and 
railroad  leading  from  Soissons  to  the  point  of  the  Marne 
Salient,  which  formed  the  main  arteries  of  supply  for  the 
German  forces.  This  sector  of  the  enemy's  Une  was  held  by 
the  6th  Division  and  the  42d  Division.^ 

The  French  and  the  Germans  were  constantly  fighting 
and  ground  was  continually  changing  hands.  It  could  not, 
therefore,  be  determined  definitely  just  where  the  front  line 

"  Orders  232,  4th  French  Army. 

'  Enemy  order  of  battle.    Headquarters  First  Army  and  G.  H.  Q. 


104  HISTORY   OF   THE    FIRST    DIVISION 

ran.  The  initial  position  was  located  near  the  eastern  edge  of 
the  Coeuvres  ravine.  A  wide  marsh  with  pools  of  water  filled 
the  bottom  of  this  ravine  and  the  water  had  been  so  heavily 
impregnated  with  yperite  from  the  German  shell  that  anyone 
coming  in  contact  with  it  was  liable  to  suffer  severe  burns. 

The  front  was  held  by  the  1st  Moroccan  Division,  which 
was  to  be  relieved  during  the  night  of  July  17th-18th,  just 
before  the  assault.  There  would,  therefore,  be  no  opportunity 
for  the  troops  to  become  familiar  with  their  positions  or  their 
immediate  objectives.  On  July  IGth,  preliminary  instructions 
were  issued  by  the  20th  Corps  relative  to  the  movement  of 
the  First  Division  into  line  and  its  participation  in  the  attack. 
Commanding  officers  and  staff  officers  from  the  1st  Field 
Artillery  Brigade  visited  the  chiefs  of  artiller}'  of  the  20th 
Corps  and  the  1st  Moroccan  Division  and  learned  the  plan 
for  the  employment  of  the  artillery,  the  areas  for  battery 
positions  and  the  details  of  ammunition  supply.**  They  then 
proceeded  to  make  reconnaissances,  to  construct  gun  emplace- 
ments and  to  prepare  firing  data.  The  2d  Field  Signal  Bat- 
talion at  once  liegan  to  construct  lines  of  information  and  to 
wire  posts  of  command. 

On  July  16th,  the  orders  of  the  20th  Corps  for  the  attack 
were  received  and  the  Division  orders  were  issued  inmiediately. 
On  July  17th,  infantry  brigade  and  regimental  commanders 
and  staff  officers  made  such  reconnaissances  as  were  possible 
without  discovery  by  the  enemy.  It  was  a  happy  coincidence 
that  the  42d  Fivnch  Aero  Reconnaissance  Squadron  which  had 
served  the  Division  so  efficiently  in  the  Cantigny  Sector  was 
here  again  attached  to  render  even  more  brilliant  assistance. 
The  French  Groupement  No.  1,  of  48  tanks,  was  also  placed 
at  the  disposal  of  the  Division  and  the  Divisional  artillery 
was  reinforced  by  three  French  battalions  of  75's  and  two 
French  batteries  of  105-mm.  guns.^  Groupement  No.  11  of 
27  French  tanks  and  the  French  Balloon  Company  No.  83 
were  also  attached  to  the  Division.  At  1  ;00  p.  m.  the  Division 
Commander  and  staff  officers  attended  a  conference  at  Corps 

'Orders  2L'7  and  231,  2()tli  !■' reach  Corjjs,  and  F.  O.  No.  27,  First  Division,  1918. 
'  lieport  of  First  Division,  .July  27,  1918. 


SOISSONS  105 

Headquarters,  presided  over  by  General  Mangin,  himself. 
All  the  details  of  the  impending  momentous  struggle  were  dis- 
cussed and  thoroughly  understood  by  all  Division  commanders. 
At  3:00  p.  M.  the  brigade  and  regimental  commanders  and 
staff  officers  assembled  at  Division  Headquarters,  where  every 
element  of  the  attack  was  considered.  The  conference  ended 
with  a  firm  conviction  in  the  mind  of  everyone  that  the  First 
Division  would  "go  through." 

By  this  time,  all  thought  of  secrecy  was  abandoned  in  the 
effort  to  complete  preparations.  All  day  long  the  single  road 
that  led  from  the  Compiegne  forest  to  the  sector,  through 
Mortefontaine,  was  congested  with  French  artillery  and 
American  vehicles  of  all  kinds.  The  American  75's  were  in 
sheds  or  hidden  in  woods  near  Mortefontaine,  but  the  horses 
and  limbers  were  far  back,  struggling  to  progress  with  the 
congested  traffic.  The  155's  were  still  farther  in  the  rear,  and 
the  1st  Ammiuiition  Train  could  not  even  gain  a  place  on  the 
road.  The  weary  infantry,  engineers  and  machine  gunners 
were  in  the  woods  trying  to  get  such  rest  as  the  dismal  weather 
and  the  muddy  ground  could  afford.  Through  Mortefontaine, 
officers  and  men  on  every  kind  of  mission  passed,  hungry  and 
weary,  but  grim  and  determined.  An  officers'  mess  was  set 
up  on  the  street  as  a  soup  kitchen,  where  coffee,  stew  and  bread 
were  served  to  everyone  who  passed.  Military  police  were 
stationed  every  few  yards  to  see  that  the  narrow  defile  of  the 
street  through  wliich  all  traffic  moved  was  not  choked. 

The  Eve  of  Battle. —  If  the  road  was  congested  during  the 
day,  it  became  indescribable  with  the  approach  of  night. 
Springing,  it  seemed,  from  the  very  earth  itself,  there  appeared 
ever}^  form  of  man,  beast  and  vehicle.  On  came  the  ponderous 
artillery  with  what  seemed  like  endless  miles  of  motors,  horses 
and  limbers.  Tanks  drove  forward  with  a  noise  that  was 
deafening.  Trucks,  wagons,  carts,  ambulances  and  staff  cars 
forced  their  way  in  both  directions  and  all  flowed  through  the 
bottle-neck  of  one  narrow  route  in  Mortefontaine.  The  night 
came  on  inky  black,  and  then  to  this  torrent  of  movement  was 
added  the  infantry,  the  machine  gunners  and  the  engineers 
of  the  First  Division,  besides  French  soldiers,  Colonials  and 


^^^, 


Upper:    Camouflaged  position  of  7tli  Field  Artillery  near  Mesnil-St.  Firmin,  Franre, 

July  T),  1918. 
Lower:    6th  Field  Artillery  placing  gun  in  position  after  advance,  Missy-aux-Bois, 

France,  July,  1918. 


SOISSONS  107 

cavalry.  From  the  halting  place  in  the  Compiegne  forest  to 
the  jumping-off  line,  the  distance  was  more  than  ten  kilometers. 
At  command,  the  men  slung  and  adjusted  their  battle  packs 
and  the  columns  moved  out.  The  orders  required  that  the 
foot  troojis  should  advance  by  the  side  of  the  roads.  The  men, 
slipping  and  falhng,  struggled  to  keep  their  places.  So  black 
was  the  night  that  they  could  not  see  each  other,  and  contact 
was  maintained  by  having  each  man  place  his  hand  on  the  man 
in  his  front.  Scarcely  had  the  columns  strung  out,  than  a 
storm  broke  with  tropical  violence.  Blinding  sheets  of  light- 
ning and  crashes  of  thunder  were  like  a  prelude  to  the  great 
tragedy  upon  which  the  curtain  would  rise  at  daylight.  The 
rain  poured  in  torrents,  soaking  the  clothing  and  the  packs  and 
increasing  the  weights  carried  by  the  already  burdened  men. 
Dazed  by  fatigue  and  loss  of  sleep,  the  columns  plunged  for- 
ward, everjr  step  seeming  to  be  the  limit  of  endurance  for  the 
already  benumbed  legs.  Officers,  bent  upon  reaching  their 
positions  in  time,  encouraged  their  men  to  even  greater  exer- 
tion. As  the  heads  of  the  columns  approached  the  front, 
French  guides  from  the  troops  to  be  relieved  met  them  and 
guided  them  across  the  gas-infected  slough  of  the  Coeuvres 
ravine  and  up  the  precipitous  heights  beyond,  to  the  shallow 
fox-holes  that  served  as  a  front  line.  This  last  climb  took  the 
remaining  strength  from  the  weary  men,  but  they  were  on 
time,  and  with  the  exception  of  one  regiment,  which  arrived 
at  the  last  moment,  all  had  a  short  breathing  spell. 

Regiments  were  formed  in  the  order  from  right  to  left, 
the  18th  Infantry,  the  16th  Infantry,  the  26th  Infantry  and 
the  28th  Infantry.  Each  regiment  was  organized  with  an 
assault  battalion,  a  support  battaUon  and  a  reserve  battalion, 
with  a  machine  gun  company  attached  to  each  battalion.  The 
two  flank  reserve  battalions  constituted  the  Division  reserve 
and  the  interior  reserve  battalions,  the  brigade  reserves.  The 
initial  order  of  the  battalions  in  each  regiment  from  front  to 
rear  was  as  follows : 

18th  Infantry: 

3d  Battalion  and  Company  D,  2d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 
1st  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  18th  Infantry. 
2d  Battalion  and  Company  C,  2d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 


108  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

16tli  Infantry: 

1st  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  16tli  Infantry. 

2d  Battalion  and  Company  A,  2d  Machino  Cum  Battalion. 

3d  Battalion  and  Company  B,  2d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 
2tith  Infantry : 

2d  Battalion  and  Company  B,  3d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

3d  Battalion  and  Company  A,  3d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

Ist  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  2r)th  Infantry. 
28th  Infantry: 

2d  Battalion  and  Company  C,  3d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

3d  Battalion  and  Company  D,  3d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

1st  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  28th  Infantr\-. 

The  37-mni.  guns  and  the  Stokes  mortars  of  each  regi- 
ment supported  the  assault  battaUon  or  accompanied  the 
support  battaUon.  The  1st  Machine  Gun  BattaUon  was  held 
in  Division  reserve.  One  company  of  engineers  was  attached 
to  each  infantry  brigade;  one  company  to  the  battalion  of 
French  tanks;  and  two  companies  to  the  regiments  of  field 
artillery.  The  remaining  company  was  lield  in  Division 
reserve.'" 

While  the  infantry  was  struggling  to  reach  the  assault 
positions  in  time,  the  task  of  the  artillery  was  no  less  difficult. 
Diu:ing  the  night,  the  jaded  horses  reached  the  guns  of  the 
6th  and  7th  Field  Aj-tillery,  where  the  French  trucks  had  left 
them,  and  drew  them  to  the  emplacements  prepared  by  the 
cannoneers.  Then,  the  limbers  started  for  ammunition.  The 
155-mm.  howitzers  of  the  5th  Field  Ai-tillery  arrived  barely 
in  time,  in  spite  of  the  utmost  efforts  of  men  and  horses.  One 
battery  was  ready  to  fire  at  "H"  hour  and  the  others  came 
into  action  within  a  half-hour  afterward.  As  tlie  road  cleared, 
the  1st  Anmiunition  Train  was  able  to  reach  the  dumps  and 
it  delivered  its  loads  to  the  guns  and  kept  them  supplied. 

All  the  artillery  was  massed  in  the  initial  position  just 
west  of  the  Cocuvres  ravine.  The  6th  Field  Ai-tillery  supported 
the  1st  Brigade  and  the  7th  Field  ArtiUery  supported  the  2d 
Brigade.  The  5th  Field  ArtiUery,  which  was  west  of  the  village 
of  Cceuvres,  fired  concentrations  throughout  the  front.  The 
French  75's  superimposed  their  fire  upon  that  of  the  American 

'"  War  Diaries  of  Kngineer  Units. 


MAJOR  GENERAL  CHARLES  P.  SUMMERALL 

Commanding  First  Division  from  July  17,  1918,  to  October  11,  1918 


SOISSONS  111 

75's  and  the  French  105's  were  given  special  missions  of  con- 
centration fire. 

Field  Hospital  No.  3  was  located  at  Mortefontaine,  where 
it  was  later  hit  by  an  air  bomb.  Field  Hospitals  Nos.  2  and 
12  were  placed  at  Pierrefonds.  Field  Hospital  No.  13  was  at 
Sery-Magneval. 

The  ambulance  companies  sent  about  one-third  of  their 
personnel  to  act  as  litter  bearers  with  the  infantry.  The 
ambulances  and  Sanitary  Service  Unit  No.  649  then  operated 
in  evacuating  the  woiuided  from  the  advance  and  the  regi- 
mental dressing  stations. 

At  all  the  kitchens,  water  carts  were  filled  and  the  rolling 
kitchens  were  made  ready  with  a  meal  to  follow  the  troops. 
Military  Police  Company  No.  1  formed  a  battle  barrage  to 
direct  persons  along  the  front  and  to  collect  wanderers. 
Military  Police  Company  No.  2  was  detailed  to  escort  and 
guard  prisoners  of  war  as  they  were  brought  to  the  rear  from 
the  regiments.  The  Headquarters  Troop  was  absorbed  by 
messenger  and  despatch  duty.  The  1st  Trench  Mortar  Battery 
had  special  instructions  to  assist  in  turning  captured  guns 
against  the  enemy.  The  other  services  and  trains  were  assigned 
their  indispensable  parts  in  launching  the  assault. 

In  order  to  make  the  surprise  complete,  no  adjustment 
shots  and  no  preliminary  bombardment  were  permitted  for 
the  artillery.  At  "H"  hour,  the  75's  were  to  start  the  rolling 
barrage  and  the  infantry  would  move  forward.  The  heavy 
howitzers  were  ordered  to  fire  concentrations  commencing  at 
"H"  hour,  especially  on  the  deep  ravines  and  old  French 
trenches  that  had  been  greatly  strengthened  by  the  enemy. 
All  watches  had  been  accurately  synchronized  so  that  the 
assault  would  be  simultaneous.  The  zero  hour  had  been  fixed 
at  4:35  a.  m.,  July  18th.  As  the  hour  approached,  with  the 
infantry  lying  tense  along  the  jumping-off  line  and  the  gunners 
ready  and  waiting  for  their  watches  to  tick  the  second  when 
all  should  fire  with  one  great  crash,  a  red  rocket  suddenly 
darted  from  the  enemy's  front  line  and  brought  down  a  heavy 
defensive  barrage  from  the  German  guns.  This  lasted  only  a 
few  minutes,  but  it  took  its  toll  of  casualties  from  the  devoted 


112  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

infantry.    So  well  disciplined  was  the  Division  that  not  a  shot 
was  sent  in  reply  and  silence  again  fell  over  the  entire  field. 

The  Battle. — At  4:35  a.  m.,  while  it  was  yet  dark,  there 
came  a  great  roar,  the  clouds  burst  into  flame,  and  the  artillery 
barrage  dropped  with  deadh'  effect  just  where  it  was  expected 
to  fall  in  front  of  the  infantr}'  line."  The  infantrj-,  who  for  so 
many  weary  months  had  borne  gas  and  shell  and  bullets  in 
the  trenches  of  Lorraine  and  Picardy,  rose  like  a  great  avenging 
wave  and  advanced  according  to  schedule.  The  French  tanks, 
assisted  by  the  company  of  engineers,  drove  along  and  soon 
overtook  the  front  line,  when  thej'  used  their  machine  guns 
with  telling  accuracy.  As  soon  as  it  was  light,  French  aero- 
planes sped  over  the  troops  to  give  information  and  to  keep 
the  enemy  a\iators  from  observing.  So  bold  was  their  work 
that  one  aviator  was  brought  down  by  a  fragment  of  the 
enem3^'s  percussion  shell  and  another  by  his  rifle  fire.  The 
barrage  traveled  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  meters  in  two 
minutes  and  the  infantry  followed  close  upon  it.  The  first 
objective  was  a  road  two  kilometers  distant,  running  north- 
eastward from  Dommiers.  Here,  the  barrage  was  to  stand 
for  twenty  minutes  and  then  continue  to  the  second  objective, 
which  was  a  hne  running  from  Cravangon  Farm  to  the  eastern 
edge  of  the  Missy-aux-Bois  ravine.  After  a  fiu-ther  halt  of 
forty  minutes,  the  barrage  was  to  proceed  at  a  rate  of  onc^ 
hundred  meters  in  four  minutes  to  the  third  and  last  objective 
of  the  day,  which  was  a  north-and-south  hne  running  five 
hundred  meters  east  of  the  village  of  Chaudun.'- 

As  soon  as  the  barrage  fell,  signal  rockets  went  up  in 
great  numbers  all  along  the  enemy's  line.  His  batteries  had 
not  been  accurately  located  and  the  French  counter-battery 
could  not  silence  all  of  them.  The  broken  nature  of  the  ground 
favored  the  employment  of  the  enemy's  machine  guns.  There 
were  also  strong  points  held  by  his  infantry,  artillery  and 
trench  mortars.  As  a  result,  the  advancing  infantrymen 
suffered  casualties  from  the  beginning.  Nothing  daunted 
them.     In  the  exhilaration  of  the  battle,   they    forgot   their 

"  Report,  First  Division,  July  27,  1918. 
12  F.  O.  27,  First  Division. 


SOISSONS  li:-i 

fatigue  and  danger  and  marched  resolutely  in  the  wake  of 
the  bursting  shell  from  their  own  faithful  guns.  Soon  prison- 
ers were  taken  and  were  sent  to  the  rear  in  numbers  which 
rapidly  increased  with  the  advance." 

At  5:30  A.  M.  the  first  objective  was  reached  on  schedule 
time  and  everyone  was  buoyed  by  the  success.  The  line 
then  advanced  toward  the  second  objective  and  on  the  way 
overran  enemy  batteries,  capturing  or  killing  the  gimners, 
who  continued  to  fire  until  the  Americans  were  among  them. 
The  casualties  now  grew  heavier  and  the  fighting  became 
intense.  The  enemy's  machine  guns  fired  from  the  grain 
fields  and  from  everj^  commanding  point,  and  his  artillery 
became  more  active.  St.  Amand  Farm,  on  the  left  flank  of 
the  28th  Infantry,  had  been  organized  as  a  strong  point  and 
offered  stubborn  resistance,  but  it  was  carried  by  direct  assault 
without  checking  the  progress  of  the  troops.  It  had  been 
expected  that  the  enemy  would  occupy  strongly  the  Missy- 
aux-Bois  ravine,  and  that  desperate  fighting  would  be  required 
to  overcome  it.  Throughout  the  advance  to  this  point  the 
special  mission  of  the  155-mm.  howitzers  was  to  fire  concentra- 
tions into  the  ravine  and  along  the  edges. 

The  Missy-aux-Bois  ravine  is  deep  and  about  one  kilometer 
wide,  with  sides  that  slope  steeply.  A  marshy  swamp  about 
six  hundred  meters  wide  lies  in  the  middle  of  the  ravine.  A 
small  but  very  deep  stream  runs  through  this  swamp.  The 
enemy  had  concentrated  his  artillery  here  on  account  of  the 
excellent  defilade  it  offered.  He  had  built  corduroy  roads 
all  through  the  ravine  and  had  about  thirty  pieces  of  artillery 
in  position.  One  battery  of  150-mm.  howitzers  was  located 
near  Le  Mont  d'Arly;  one  battery  of  six  77-mm.  guns,  on  the 
eastern  edge  of  the  ravine  just  south  of  Breuil ;  and  one  battery 
of  six  77-mni.  gims,  in  the  head  of  the  ravine  running  east  and 
west  just  north  of  Breuil.  There  were  other  pieces  scattered 
around  through  the  bottom  of  the  ravine.  The  batteries  south 
of  Breuil  and  the  one  just  north  of  Breuil  gave  the  most 
trouble,  as  they  fired  with  direct  laying  and  were  too  distant 
to  be  put  out  of  action  with  rifle  fire.    In  addition,  the  ravine 

"  Report,  First  Division,  July  27,  1918. 


114  HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 

was  exceedingly  well  organized  with  machine  guns  and  infantry 
emplacements. 

Upon  reaching  the  western  edge  of  the  ravine,  the  two 
assault  companies  of  the  assault  battalion  of  the  28th  Infantry 
descended  into  the  ravine  under  a  terrific  machine  gun  and 
rifle  fire  from  the  eastern  bank,  and  had  not  progressed  more 
than  one  hundred  meters  when  they  were  checked  entirely 
by  enfilade  machine  gun  fire  and  direct  artillery  fire  from  the 
village  of  Breuil  and  from  emplacements  in  the  ravine  to  the 
left  of  the  line,  all  of  which  lay  in  the  French  zone  of  advance. 
At  this  time  the  French  on  the  left  were  having  very  heavy 
fighting  and  had  been  unable  to  enter  the  ravine.  The  village 
of  Saconin  et  Breuil  had  been  strongly  organized  by  the  enemy, 
who  was  offering  very  fierce  resistance.  The  five  tanks  sup- 
porting the  28th  Infantry  were  destroyed  at  the  western  edge 
of  the  ravine.  The  barrage  had  not  touched  any  of  the  enemy 
emplacements  located  in  the  bottom  of  the  ravine  on  account 
of  the  steepness  of  the  western  slope.  The  battalion  com- 
mander saw  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  reach  his  objective 
until  the  resistance  at  Breuil  and  in  front  of  Breuil  was  over- 
come. He  therefore  ordered  the  two  support  companies  of 
the  battalion  to  attack  and  captiu-e  the  village  of  Breuil  and 
the  defenses  in  front  of  it.  This  attack  had  not  progressed 
more  than  three  hundred  meters  in  the  bottom  of  the  ravine 
when  it  came  under  a  terrific  machine  gun,  rifle  and  artillery 
fire  from  the  vicinity  of  Le  Mont  d'Arly,  Saconin  et  Breuil 
and  the  ravine  running  east  and  west  just  north  of  Breuil. 
The  advance  of  these  two  companies  was  completely  checked 
at  this  point  and  suffered  heavy  losses.  Thus,  all  the  com- 
panies of  the  assault  battalion  were  involved  and  the  losses 
of  the  battaUon  had  amounted  to  fifty  per  cent  of  its  strength. 

The  support  battaUon  commander,  hearing  the  heavy 
firing,  came  forward  ahead  of  his  battaUon  and  met  the  assault 
battaUon  commander  on  the  western  edge  of  the  Missy-aux- 
Bois  ravine.  They  decided  to  use  the  support  battaUon  with 
three  companies  in  the  attack  and  the  fourth  company  in 
reserve  on  the  western  edge  of  the  Missj'-aux-Bois  ravine. 
The  support  battalion  had  suffered  about  twenty-five  per  cent 
losses  up  to  this  time  from  the  enemy  counter-barrage. 


SOISSONS  115 

One  company  was  ordered  to  attack  and  capture  Le 
Mont  d'Aj-ly  and  then  swing  to  the  right  and  attack  the  heights 
to  the  south  of  Saconin  et  Breuil.  The  French  were  to  assist 
in  this  attack.  The  other  two  companies  were  ordered  to 
attack  the  ravine  just  north  of  Breuil,  their  right  flank  guiding 
on  the  left  of  Breuil.  Both  battalions  started  the  attack  at 
the  same  time.  The  French  also  attacked  and  were  able  to 
move  forward  on  account  of  the  pressure  brought  to  bear  on 
the  enemy's  flank.  The  fighting  was  of  a  very  severe  nature. 
The  men  waded  in  mud  and  water  up  to  their  hips  and  the 
enemy  defended  his  positions  to  the  last.  The  troops  contin- 
ued to  advance  in  spite  of  the  heavy  losses  inflicted  upon  them 
and  the  eastern  edge  of  the  ravine  was  captured.  All  units 
were  hastily  reorganized  and  the  attack  resumed.  A  front  line 
was  established  east  of  Breuil,  the  left  limit  of  the  28th 
Infantry  resting  about  where  the  unimproved  road  from 
Saconin  et  Breuil  enters  the  improved  road  from  Breuil  to 
the  Paris-Soissons  road.  The  losses  of  these  two  battalions 
had  been  so  great  and  the  front  was  so  long  that  only  one  thin 
line  was  established. 

While  the  fight  was  going  on  in  the  Missy-aux-Bois  ravine, 
it  was  discovered  that  great  numbers  of  the  enemy  were 
emerging  from  a  large  cave  in  the  vicinity  of  Le  Mont  d'Arly 
and  that  they  were  firing  on  our  troops  from  the  rear.  This 
cave  had  not  been  discovered  by  the  troops  that  had  previously 
attacked  and  captured  Le  Mont  d'Aj'ly.  Two  platoons  of  the 
reserve  company  attacked  them  at  once  and  drove  them  back 
into  the  cave.  The  enemy  refused  to  surrender  and  it  was 
impossible  to  bomb  him  out  as  the  entrance  was  covered  from 
within.  The  commander  of  the  enemy  garrison  held  out  until 
about  4:00  p.  m.,  when  he  came  out  under  cover  of  a  white 
flag  and  surrendered  his  entire  command,  consisting  of  twenty- 
four  officers  and  five  hundred  and  eighty  men.  Several  horses, 
officers'  mounts  fully  equipped,  and  a  great  number  of  machine 
guns  and  trench  mortars  were  also  captured  within  the  cave. 

The  French  Division  on  the  left,  having  captured  the 
eastern  edge  of  the  Missy-aux-Bois  ravine,  ordered  one 
battalion  of  its  troops  to  relieve  the  28th  Infantry  of  that  part 


Top:  16th  Infantry  digging  in  near  Cliaudun,  France,  July  10,  1918. 
Middle:  7th  Field  Artillery  in  action  at  Soissons,  France,  July  10,  1918. 
Bottom:  Advance  of  16th  Infantry  near  Dormiers,  France,  July,  1918,  showing  location 
of  German  trench  mortar  that  was  captured. 


SOISSONS  117 

of  the  front  line  north  of  the  unimproved  road  rvnining  from 
Breuil  to  the  Paris-Soissons  road.  This  reUef  was  completed 
about  2:00  p.  m.  The  3d  Battalion  then  took  over  the  entire 
front  line  in  the  sector  and  the  2d  Battalion  was  placed  in 
support  on  the  eastern  edge  of  the  Missy-aux-Bois  ravine, 
just  south  of  Breuil.  The  positions  were  consolidated,  bat- 
talions reorganized  and  preparations  made  for  continuing  the 
advance.  The  losses  of  these  two  battalions  had  been  severe. 
The  2d  Battalion  was  formed  into  five  small  platoons  under 
the  battalion  commander.  The  platoons  were  commanded 
by  sergeants,  all  the  company  officers  of  the  battalion  having 
been  either  killed  or  wounded." 

The  26th  Infantry  advanced  without  serious  losses  until 
it  reached  the  Missy-aux-Bois  ravine.  Here  desperate  resist- 
ance was  encountered  and  its  losses  increased  rapidly.  At 
7:15  A.  M.  the  3d  Battalion  passed  through  the  2d  Battalion 
and  pressed  forward  in  spite  of  numerous  casualties  made  bj' 
the  enemy's  machine  guns  and  artillery. ^^  A  number  of  guns 
were  captured  in  the  Missy-aux-Bois  ravine  and  many  prison- 
ers and  machine  guns  were  taken.'"  At  the  end  of  the  day  the 
regiment  occupied  the  line  with  the  28th  Infantry. 

On  the  right,  the  16th  Infantry  and  the  18th  Infantry, 
preceded  by  the  French  tanks,  pushed  forward,  taking  the 
enemy's  first  line  completely  by  surprise  and  capturing  nearly 
all  of  its  occupants.  As  the  advance  continued,  the  resistance 
stiffened.  Machine  gims  from  the  wheat-fields  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  Paris-Soissons  road  and  artillery  from  behind  Chaudun 
swept  the  line,  and  men  fell  rapidly.  One  by  one  the  machine 
guns  were  overcome  and  soon  the  enemy  could  be  seen  retreat- 
ing. The  16th  Infantry  found  its  left  exposed,  due  to  the 
severe  fighting  of  the  2d  Brigade  in  the  Missy  ravine,  and 
refused  its  flank  to  maintain  liaison  Mdth  the  26th  Infantry. 
By  9:00  a.  m.  the  1st  Brigade  had  penetrated  the  enemy's 
gun  line  and  the  assault  battalions  were  on  the  second  objec- 
tive.   Now,  however,  it  was  evident  in  the  1st  Brigade  that  a 


"  Narrative  of  a  battalion  commander,  October,  1919. 

"  War  Diary,  26th  Infantry. 

i«  Report,  First  Division,  July  27,  1918. 


118  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

fresh  impulse  was  needed.  The  18th  Infantry  passed  the  1st 
Battahon  through  the  3d  and  the  16th  Infantry  passed  the 
2d  Battalion  through  the  1st.  On  the  right  flank  of  the 
1st  Brigade  and  parallel  to  its  advance  was  an  old  French 
trench  which  had  been  strongly  organized  and  occupied  by 
the  enemy.  In  spite  of  the  great  resistance  which  it  offered, 
the  brigade  resumed  its  advance.  As  the  tanks  approached 
the  Paris-Soissons  road,  the  enemy's  guns  raked  this  weU- 
defined  target  and  two  were  destroyed  by  direct  hits.  Indeed, 
with  its  borders  of  tall  trees,  this  road  constituted  a  veritable 
barrage  line  at  which  the  enemy's  shell  and  machine  gun 
bullets  established  a  wall  of  fire.  Nevertheless,  the  1st  Brigade 
pressed  on  in  liaison  with  the  Moroccans.  The  16th  Infantry 
in  its  forward  sweep  captured  Missy-aux-Bois  and  estabhshed 
regimental  headquarters  in  the  town.  The  18th  Infantry 
captured  the  town  of  Chaudun  and  the  1st  Brigade  occupied 
the  objective  of  the  day. 

In  the  village  of  Chaudun  there  was  hand-to-hand  fighting, 
but  the  majority  of  the  enemy  retreated  to  the  trenches  east 
of  the  town  and  prepared  to  resist.  The  pursuit  was  so  close 
that,  before  he  could  organize,  the  Americans  were  upon  him 
and  killed  or  captured  all  who  remained.  Several  batteries 
of  artillery  were  captured  north  of  Chaudun,  but  so  terrific 
had  been  the  American  barrage  that  nearly  aU  of  the  gim 
personnel  had  been  killed  or  wounded. 

The  1st  Brigade  organized  its  position  in  depth  and 
re-formed  the  troops  to  hold  the  ground  gained.  The  enemy 
retreated  to  the  high  ground  between  Chaudun  and  the 
Chazelle  ravine,  where  he  could  be  seen  digging  trenches  and 
placing  machine  guns. 

The  losses  had  been  staggering.  The  2d  battalion,  16th 
Infantry,  was  almost  annihilated.'^  The  dead  and  dying  were 
everAT\'here  and  the  wounded  crowded  the  dressing  stations. 
Every  available  means  of  transportation  was  sought  to 
evacuate  them. 

\\lien  the  2d  Brigade  started  to  advance  from  the  second 
objective,  it  was  met  by  a  storm  of  machine  gun  fire  from  both 

"  Histories,  lOth  and  18th  Infantry. 


Upper:  26th  Infantry  in  fox-holes  near  Paris-Soissons  road,  France,  July  1",  It'^S- 
Lower:  16th  Infantry  crossing  barbed  wire  in  advance  on  Soissons,  France,  July  IS.  1  Jib, 


120  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

the  front  and  the  left  flanks.  The  losses  soon  became  so  great 
that  the  advance  was  checked  and  the  leading  battalions  organ- 
ized a  position  in  the  vicinity  of  the  second  objective.  The 
tanks  continued  to  advance  and  several  crossed  the  Paris- 
Soissons  road.  They  suffered  heavily  from  artillery  fire  and 
eventually  all  were  destroyed  or  disabled."* 

As  a  result  of  the  day's  fighting,  the  line  of  the  1st  Brigade 
was  more  than  a  kilometer  in  advance  of  the  line  of  the  2d 
Brigade.  This  space  was  covered  by  refusing  the  flank  of  the 
1st  Brigade  and  maintaining  liaison  with  the  2d  Brigade. 
The  French  Division  on  the  left  of  the  2d  Brigade  could  not 
advance  from  the  Missy  ravine.  As  the  day  progressed,  the 
enemy's  a\'iators  became  active  and  bombed  and  machine- 
gunned  the  advancing  troops.  When  the  lines  were  located, 
his  artillery  constantly  shelled  them.  The  kitchens  and  w^ater- 
carts  could  not  be  brought  up  under  this  fire  and  the  only  water 
obtainable  was  from  the  springs  in  the  Missy  ravine,  after 
dark.  The  wounded  were  evacuated  during  the  night,  but 
the  ambulances  experienced  great  difficulty  in  locating  dressing 
stations. 

As  soon  as  the  rolling  barrage  ceased  on  the  final  objective, 
the  batteries  of  the  6th  Field  Artillery  advanced,  one-half  at 
a  time,  to  a  position  near  La  Glaux  Farm,  where  they  arri\'ed 
before  noon.  In  a  similar  manner,  the  7th  Field  Artillerj' 
moved  forward  to  the  first  objective,  sending  one  batter j^  to 
the  west  of  Missy-aux-Bois. 

In  accordance  with  the  orders  of  the  20th  Cori)s  for  the 
cavalry  to  give  close  support,  a  strong  force  of  French  cavalrj' 
entered  the  zone  of  action  of  the  First  Division  in  readiness  to 
charge  tlirough  the  enemy's  lines.  It  was  evident,  however, 
that  such  an  effort  would  be  ineffectual  and  the  cavalry  with- 
drew after  suffering  losses." 

At  5:30  p.  M.  the  2d  and  3d  Battalions,  5th  Field  Artillery, 
moved  to  the  south  of  Cceuvres.  All  guns  sought  targets  and, 
through  the  artillery  liaison  officers  wiih  the  infantry  lines, 
endeavored  to  supi^ress  tlie  enem>^  positions  that  seemed  most 

•«  Report,  Fir.st  Division,  July  27,  1918. 
i»  Orders,  2()th  Corps,  .July  IS,  1918. 


SOISSONS  121 

active.  Counter-preparation  was  fired  in  front  of  the  infantry 
lines  when  needed.^"  The  batteries  in  turn  suffered  casualties 
from  the  enemy's  guns,  which  had  no  difficulty  in  locating 
them  in  their  exposed  positions.  The  1st  Ammunition  Train 
maintained  the  supply  of  ammunition  and  the  trucks  retiu-ned 
loaded  with  wounded.  The  1st  Engineer  Train  moved  en- 
trenching tools  and  wire  to  the  position  of  the  troops  during 
the  night  and  then  assisted  in  carrying  the  wounded  to  the 
field  hospitals. 

Hard  as  had  been  the  fighting,  the  day  was  rich  in  its 
trophies  of  victory — prisoners  and  guns.  The  total  captures 
by  the  Division  included  fifteen  hundred  prisoners,  thirty 
guns  and  howitzers  and  many  machine  guns.  A  large  number 
of  enemy  dead  lay  on  the  field.  The  forward  elements  of  the 
Division  had  advanced  nearly  six  kilometers  and  the  entire 
combat  forces  occupied  captiu-ed  ground.  It  was  now  revealed 
why  the  ordeals  of  Lorraine  and  Picardy  had  been  endured. 
This  was  a  task  that  only  veterans  could  face,  and  such  were 
the  men  of  the  First  Division.  The  enemy,  alarmed  by  the 
overwhelming  of  his  chosen  troops  and  the  rapid  Allied  advance 
in  rear  of  his  victorious  front,  saw  that  the  only  way  to  avoid 
disaster  was  to  stop  this  counter-offensive.  Accordingly,  he 
reinforced  his  line,  strengthened  his  artillery  and  thickened  his 
machine  guns.  The  fate  of  the  war  was  hanging  on  this  battle, 
and  both  sides  seemed  to  realize  its  significance.  Each  sought 
victory  at  any  cost,  and  through  her  first-born  Divisions, 
America  was  showing  friend  and  foe  alike  what  manner  of  men 
she  had  sent  to  bear  her  flag  in  the  crisis. 

But,  if  the  enemy  was  gathering  strength,  there  were  no 
reinforcements  for  the  Fu'st  Division  save  a  resolution  that 
grew  with  opposition  and  a  spiritual  exaltation  that  lifted 
men  to  a  plane  of  sublime  sacrifice,  akin  to  the  Divine.  Those 
superb  battahons  had  gone  forth  as  hostages  to  fortune,  and 
they  lay  calmly  and  steadfastly  waiting  for  the  hour  when  they 
knew  an  even  fiercer  struggle  must  be  waged.  Their  leaders  were 
men  who  had  gone  through  the  preparation  with  their  soldiers. 
It  was  their  task  to  go  constantly  among  their  companies  and 

'"  Reports  of  regimental  commanders. 


122  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

inspire  every  impulse.  Company  and  platoon  commanders 
were  only  elder  brothers  to  the  ranks  who  followed  where  they 
led.  The  battle  was  in  their  hands.  They  fought  from  pride, 
from  nobility  of  soid  and  from  courage  that  counts  not  even 
death  in  its  consecrated  selflessness. 

Second  Day,  July  19th. — Long  before  this  battle,  General 
Mangin  had  become  celebrated  for  his  motto  "Always  attack." 
As  expected,  therefore,  shortly  after  midnight.  Division  Head- 
quarters, which  had  moved  to  the  west  of  Coeuvres,  received 
orders  to  renew  the  assault  at  4:00  a.  m.,  July  19th. -^  The 
objective  was  the  line  from  Berzy-le-Sec  (exclusive)  to  Buzancy 
(exclusive).  Upon  reaching  this  line,  the  Division  was  to 
protect  the  left  flank  of  the  Corps."  The  order  further  pre- 
scribed that  reconnaissance  parties  should  be  pushed  out  from 
the  objective  line  until  contact  with  the  enemy  was  gained. 
The  Division  attack  order  was  immediately  issued,  but,  in 
spite  of  all  haste,  it  did  not  reach  some  of  the  advanced  ele- 
ments until  just  before  the  zero  horn-.  Again,  the  75's  covered 
the  advance  wdth  a  rolling  barrage,  while  the  homtzers  fired 
concentrations.^'' 

The  18th  Infantry,  which  had  at  its  disposal  but  two 
battalions,  retained  them  in  the  order  of  advance,  1st,  3d, 
while  the  2d  Battalion  i-emained  in  Di\'ision  reserve.-"*  In 
this  order,  the  regiment  ad^'anced  to  the  high  ground  north 
of  the  Chazelle  ravine,  meeting  and  overcoming  the  most 
stubborn  resistance. 

On  the  previous  day  the  2d  Battalion,  16th  Infantry,  had 
lost  nearly  all  of  two  companies  and  all  the  officers,  leaving 
the  remnants  of  the  battalion  in  command  of  a  sergeant.  The 
1st  Battalion  was,  therefore,  placed  in  front  for  the  assault 
on  July  19th,  while  the  3d  Battalion,  which  had  been  in  brigade 
reserve,  and  Company  B,  1st  Engineers,  were  placed  in  sup- 
port. In  its  weakened  condition,  the  1st  Battalion  was  unable 
to  progress  far  and  the  3d  Battalion  moved  foi-ward  to  the 
assault.    The  tanks  here  rendered  the  greatest  assistance,  but 

21  Report,  First  Division,  .July  27,  1918. 

22  Operations  Order  301,  10th  Army;   Operations  Order  1202-31,  20th  Corps. 

23  F.  O.  No.  28,  First  Division,  1918. 

2*  War  Diaries,  battalions,  ISth  Infantry. 


SOISSONS  12.3 

all  that  were  left  were  soon  disabled  by  the  enemy's  artillery.^^ 
After  a  few  hours,  the  1st  Battalion  again  took  the  lead  and 
occupied  the  line  with  the  18th  Infantry. 

During  the  night  of  July  18th,  the  2d  and  3d  Battalions 
of  the  26th  Infantry  had  organized  the  regimental  position 
side  by  side  and  they  advanced  together  at  4:00  a.  m.,  July 
19th,  with  the  2d  Battalion  on  the  left  of  the  3d.  There  was 
no  illusion  as  to  the  opposition  that  they  would  meet.  Through- 
out the  previous  day  they  had  been  under  a  terrific  machine 
gun  fire,  and  during  the  night  they  had  heard  the  sounds  of 
digging  by  the  enemy  to  add  new  machine  gun  emplacements. 
Much  as  on  a  maneuver,  the  echeloned  ranks  rose  and  followed 
their  protective  barrage  that  beat  the  ground  ahead  of  them. 
Almost  instantly  came  the  German  reply.  From  what  seemed 
like  hundreds  of  machine  guns  was  heard  the  rat-tat-tat-tat-tat 
that  was  so  deadly  in  its  significance,  and  the  air  was  torn  by 
the  shrieks  of  bullets.  The  losses  came  so  rapidly  that  for  a 
moment  the  forward  echelon  seemed  to  be  withered.  The 
officers  dashed  to  the  front  of  their  men,  and  with  shouts  and 
gestures  they  led  their  units  straight  into  the  successive  lines 
of  machine  guns.  The  enemy  machine  guns  continued  to  fire 
until  the  gunners  were  killed.  The  remnants  of  the  troops 
charged  over  the  crest  that  was  marked  by  the  French  tanks, 
destroyed  the  previous  day,  and  came  under  direct  fire  of 
batteries  posted  beyond.  Here,  the  one  officer  and  the  hand- 
ful of  men  who  remained  dug  in  to  hold  what  they  had  gained 
at  such  a  heavy  cost.  In  spite  of  heavy  losses,  the  regiment 
reached  a  position  across  the  Paris-Soissons  road.  As  on  the 
previous  day,  the  road  was  torn  by  shell  and  swept  by  bullets, 
but  the  regiment  held  all  that  it  had  gained. 

The  28th  Infantry  moved  to  the  attack  with  the  2d  and 
3d  Battalions  in  line,  but,  upon  approaching  the  Paris-Soissons 
road,  it  met  such  a  deadly  fire  from  the  exposed  left  flank,  as 
well  as  from  the  front,  that  the  advance  was  halted.-"  The 
last  of  the  tanks  with  the  left  of  the  line  reached  the  Ploisy 
ravine  and  were  lost. 


2*  Operations  Report,  First  Division,  July  27,  1918. 

2«  War  Diary,  2d  Infantry  Brigade.  Operations  Report,  First  Division,  July  27,  1918. 


124  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Thus,  the  resuh  (>f  the  morning's  fighting  was  to  advance 
the  right  of  the  Division  a  Httlc  more  than  a  kilometer  and  the 
left  not  more  than  half  that  distance.  The  gap  between  the 
flanks  had  been  widened  and  all  the  troops  at  the  disposal  of 
the  commander  of  the  1st  Brigade  were  requu'ed  to  fill  it. 
Some  units  had  become  mingled,  or  were  in  line  out  of  their 
places.  Losses  had  greatly  increased  over  the  preceding  day 
and  the  lack  of  food  and  water  was  making  itself  felt.-'  There 
was,  however,  no  shortage  of  ammunition.  In  this  situation, 
the  position  of  the  line  was  critical.  The  weak  gap  between 
the  brigades  was  exposed  to  counter-attack  and  the  enemy 
could  approach  it  to  within  a  kilometer  under  cover  of  the 
Ploisy  ravine.  It  was  unthinkable  that  night  should  find  the 
Division  so  disadvantageously  placed.  The  only  hope  of  relief 
from  suffering  and  danger  was  to  drive  the  enemy  away  and 
advance  to  a  line  extending  northward  in  prolongation  of  the 
right  flank.  This  would  shorten  the  front  and  the  Ploisy 
ravine  would  form  a  point  of  support  for  the  left  flank. 

With  this  end  in  view,  Division  Headquarters  issued 
orders  to  renew  the  assault  at  5:30  p.  m.  The  hoiu-  was  fixed 
so  as  to  allow  time  for  the  operation  to  be  completed  before 
dark  and  to  permit  the  troops  to  dig  in  during  the  night,  with- 
out being  located  by  the  enemy's  artillery.  In  order  to  sup- 
press the  enemy  in  front  and  on  the  left  flank,  the  advance 
was  ordered  in  two  echelons  from  the  left.  All  the  75's  were 
employed  to  fire  a  rolling  barrage  in  front  of  the  2d  Brigade 
to  assist  it  forward,  while  the  155's  were  to  fire  concentrations 
on  the  known  enemy  organizations  on  the  left  flank  and  in  the 
Ploisy  ravine.-^  Readjustments  of  the  aj-tillery  were  made 
during  the  day.  One  battery  of  the  6th  Field  Artillery  moved 
to  the  northeast  of  Missy-aux-Bois  and  found  itself  in  the  line 
of  the  infantry,  who  asked  it  to  take  a  more  retired  position. 
It  then  withdrew  to  the  south  of  the  village.  At  9:00  a.  m.  the 
3d  Battalion,  5th  Field  Artillery,  moved  to  the  northeast  of 
Cutry,  and  in  the  afternoon  the  2d  Battalion,  5th  Field  Artil- 
lery, was  placed  southeast  of  Cutry.    The  1st  Battahon  then 

2'  War  Diaries,  1st  and  2d  Brigades. 
2*  Statement  of  Division  Commander. 


Upper:  Battery  of  5th  Field  ArtUlery  taking  up  advanced  position,  near  Floysey,  France, 

July  20,  1918.  .     .  , .    ,       K 

Low-er:  Wounded  First  Division  men  being  cared  for  by  sanitary  train  m  an  old  churcti 

at  Neuville,  France. 


126  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

advanced  to  the  position  vacated  by  the  2d  and  3d  BattaUons.^' 
A  conference  was  held  at  First  Division  Headquarters  with  the 
Commander  of  the  153d  French  Division  on  the  left,  who 
agreed  to  co-operate  in  the  movement. ^° 

At  5:30  p.  M.  the  artillery  fire  dropped  and  the  2d  Brigade 
rose  and  charged  forward.  The  1st  Battalion  of  the  28th 
Infantry,  which  had  been  in  Division  reserve,  was  placed  at 
the  disposal  of  the  regimental  commander.  It  passed  through 
the  rest  of  the  regiment  with  a  dash  that  defied  all  opposition. 
It  swept  over  the  most  stubborn  resistance  at  every  step  and 
clung  to  the  heels  of  its  barrage.  Casualties  were  heavy  and 
when  the  objective  was  reached  only  eight  officers  were  left 
to  command  the  front  line. 

For  this  assault,  the  1st  Battalion  of  the  26th  Infantry, 
which  until  now  had  been  held  in  lirigade  reserve,  was  returned 
to  the  regimental  commander.  It  replaced  the  3d  Battalion 
in  line,  and,  with  the  2d  Battalion  on  its  left  and  the  3d 
Battalion  in  support,  the  regiment  went  forward  with  the 
falling  of  the  barrage.''  At  the  same  time,  the  machine  gun- 
ners with  the  16th  Infantry  delivered  a  hail  of  buUets  against 
the  enemy's  flank. 

The  wheat-fields  and  the  depressions  in  the  roUing  ground 
seemed  alive  with  German  machine  guns.  Without  a  halt  or 
a  waver,  the  lines  advanced  nearly  two  kilometers  as  rapidly 
as  their  barrage  would  let  them  move.  The  elements  of  the 
1st  Brigade  that  iiad  closed  the  dangerous  gap  were  pinched 
out  as  the  line  shortened  with  an  orderliness  that  would  have 
been  creditable  in  a  practice  maneuver.  The  1st  Brigade  con- 
formed to  the  movement,  and  before  8:00  p.  m.  the  entire 
Division  was  on  the  objective  assigned  in  the  Division  order 
with  the  left  flank  strongly  supported  on  the  Mt.  de  Coiu-melles 
Farm.  All  battalions  re-formed  in  depth  and  organized  the 
ground  for  defense.  Troops  that  had  become  separated 
rejoined  their  units.  More  than  a  thousand  iirisoners  and 
twenty  field   guns   and  howitzers  were  captured.     Anothei' 

''  Statement  of  artillery  regimental  coirmianders. 
3»  Report,  First  Division,  .July  27,  1918. 
31  War  Diary,  2d  Infantry  Brigade. 


SOISSONS  127 

cavern  near  Missy-uux-Bois  contained  more  than  five  hundred 
men  and  officers.  The  entire  execution  was  a  superb  exhibition 
of  leadership,  coiuage  and  conduct.  The  losses  were  stagger- 
ing, but  throughout  the  Division  there  was  a  feeling  of  confi- 
dence and  reUef.  Diuing  the  night,  food  and  water  began  to 
reach  the  weary  and  hungry  men.^- 

The  French  Division  on  the  left  had  moved  along  with  the 
2d  Brigade  and  prolonged  the  objective  line  toward  the  north- 
west. Its  artillery  had  been  employed  at  the  same  time  and 
materially  assisted  the  progress.  The  1st  Moroccan  Division 
was  in  close  liaison  on  the  right.  During  the  day,  the  com- 
mander of  the  celebrated  Foreign  Legion,  which  had  been 
assigned  a  place  next  to  the  18th  Infantry, visited  the  regimental 
commander  and  expressed  his  admiration  for  the  regiment  and 
said,  "The  Foreign  Legion  considers  it  not  only  a  privilege, 
but  an  honor,  to  fight  by  the  side  of  such  gallant  troops  as  the 
18th  Infantry." 

Diu-ing  the  night,  the  6th  Field  Artillery  advanced  to  the 
location  of  the  forward  battery  south  of  Missy-aux-Bois  and 
sent  reconnaissance  patrols  to  locate  suitable  places  farther 
to  the  front.  Four  batteries  of  the  7th  Field  Artillery  moved 
to  the  east  of  the  Paris-Soissons  road  and  one  battery  was 
pushed  to  the  southwest  of  the  village  of  Ploisy.  The  other 
battery  remained  southwest  of  Missy-aux-Bois.^^ 

On  the  night  of  July  19th  the  2d  American  Division  was 
relieved  by  the  58th  French  Division. ^^ 

The  effect  on  the  enemy  was  now  apparent  in  other  ways 
than  the  loss  of  prisoners  and  guns.  He  was  fighting  with  his 
back  to  the  wall.  On  July  19th  the  First  Division  found  in 
its  front  the  1 1th  Bavarian  Division  between  the  6th  Division 
and  the  42d  Division  and  the  47th  Reserve  Division  on  the 
left  of  the  42d  Division.'"^  The  only  hope  of  escape  for  the 
German  forces  still  in  the  salient  lay  in  their  stopping  that 
dogged  advance,  which  was  closing  the  mouth  south  of  Soissons. 


^  War  Diary  and  Report,  First  Divi.sion,  July  27,  1918. 
^  Verbal  statement  of  artillery  regimental  commanders. 
"  Orders  235,  20th  Corps. 
3'  Order  of  Battle  Sketch,  10th  Army,  July  19th. 


128  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Accordingly,  fresh' hostile  troops  with  their  artillery  were  given 
the  task  of  building  a  wall  of  fire  in  front  of  the  20th  Corps. 

Third  Day,  July  20th. — The  situation  had  now  become 
complicated,  and  it  was  necessary  for  the  Division  commanders 
concerned  to  form  a  plan  for  continuing  the  action.  Early  on 
the  morning  of  July  20th,  a  conference  was  held  at  the  Head- 
quarters of  the  Fu'st  Division  with  the  Division  commanders 
on  the  right  and  left.  The  towTi  of  Berzy-le-Sec  had  been 
assigned  as  the  objective  of  the  153d  French  Division.  On 
account  of  the  difficulties  that  had  been  encoiuitered  by  the 
French,  orders  were  issued  by  the  10th  French  Army  on  the 
morning  of  July  20th  that  the  boundary  of  the  zone  of  action 
of  the  Fu'st  Division  should  be  extended  to  include  this  posi- 
tion.^^  It  stood  on  a  prominent  knoll  almost  surrounded  by 
ravines,  and  it  flanked  the  line  of  advance  of  tlie  First  Division. 
Its  possession  by  the  enemy  secured  his  control  of  the  Soissons- 
Chateau-Thierry  road  and  railroad.  He  was,  therefore,  pre- 
pared to  defend  it  to  the  last  and  had  reinforced  this  point  by 
a  fresh  division." 

If  this  stronghold  presented  a  forbidding  task  to  the  2d 
Brigade,  the  1st  Brigade  had  before  it  a  series  of  barriers  that 
would  require  stout  hearts  to  overcome  them.  Besides  the 
flanking  fire  from  Berzy-le-Sec,  its  path  lay  across  the  deep 
and  precipitous  Chazelle  ravine,  the  valley  of  the  Crise,  with 
its  boggy  sloughs  and  thick  brush,  and  the  heights  of  Buzancy, 
from  which  the  enemy  commanded  every  foot  of  the  ground 
with  artillery  and  machine  guns.  The  enemy  reinforced  this 
sector  by  another  division. 

In  order  better  to  support  the  infantry,  foiu"  batteries 
of  the  6th  Field  Artillery  went  forward  to  the  east  of  Chaudun. 
The  1st  Battalion,  5th  Field  Artillery,  moved  to  the  west  of 
Missy-aux-Bois.  One  of  the  batteries  of  the  7th  Field  Artiller}- 
moved  from  the  Paris-Soissons  road  and  joined  the  one  south- 
west of  Ploisy.'^ 

The  Divisional  reserve  battaUon  of  the  18th  Infantry  was 
placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Commanding  General,  2d  Brigade, 

*  Division  Commander's  statement. 

"  Order  of  Battle  Sketch,  10th  Army,  July  IDth. 

"  Statement  of  artillery  regimental  commanders. 


p  PI  w^rw' 


— "t^ii'"^' 


k'^ 


;■:-"■ 'f;:-r 


SOISSONS  129 

jukI  wus  moved  to  Uic  c.-isl  of  llic  Missy  r:iviiK\''''  In  onler  to 
form  a  new  Divisional  resei-v(\  thi-ee  companies  of  engineers, 
about  five  lumdred  men,  mostly  from  the  Horse  Battalion  of 
the  1st  Ammunition  Train  and  replacements  who  arrived 
during  the  battle,  and  the  1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion  were 
placed  on  a  defensive  position  near  the  line  of  the  second 
objective.  The  hour  for  renewing  the  attack  was  fixed  for 
2:00  p.  M." 

The  objective  for  the  day  was  the  line  from  Berzy-le-Sec 
(inclusive)  to  Buzancy  (exclusive).  At  12  noon  all  the 
heavy  artillery  at  the  disposal  of  the  Division  began  a  fire  for 
destruction  on  Berzy-le-8ec  and  continued  until  "H"  hour, 
when  it  delivered  concentrations  upon  enemy  positions.  At 
2:00  p.  M.  the  75's  dropped  a  rolling  barrage  and  the  entire 
line  advanced. 

The  18th  Infantry  had  the  remnants  of  its  1st  and  3d 
Battalions  in  line. 

The  16th  Infantry  attacked  with  its  battalions  in  the 
order:  1st  Battalion  and  Company  B,  1st  Engineers;  3d 
Battahon;  and  2d  Battalion;  but  so  desperate  was  the  fight- 
ing that  the  regiment  ended  with  the  1st  and  3d  Battalions 
and  Company  B,  1st  Engineers,  in  line  and  the  2d  Battalion 
in  support. 

The  1st  Brigade  advanced  steadily  for  two  kilometers, 
crossed  the  Soissons-Paris  railroad  and  established  itself  on 
the  line,  Visigneux-Aconin  Farm.  The  fighting  was  especially 
savage  in  the  Chazelle  ravine  and  at  the  railroad  embankment, 
which  was  raked  by  flanking  fire."*^  Intense  machine  gim 
resistance  developed  from  the  valley  of  the  Crise. 

The  2d  Brigade  met  a  deadly  fire  from  the  start.  Upon 
passing  the  top  of  the  knoll  about  three  hundred  meters  west 
of  Berzy-le-Sec,  it  was  checked  by  a  storm  of  bullets  and  artil- 
lery projectiles  from  the  left  flank  and  from  the  west  of  the 
town.  In  this  situation,  the  1st  Brigade  refused  its  flank  and 
covered  the   dangerous   gap   between   the   lines   of  the  two 

'^  War  Diary,  2d  Battalion,  18th  Infantry. 

*»  War  Diary,  First  Division. 

*'  War  Diary,  1st  Brigade.     Report,  Fir.st  Division,  .July  27,  1918. 


Upper:    Macliine  gunners,  First  Division,  passing  through  St.  Baussant,  France,  in 

advance  on  St.  Mihiel  front,  September  13,  1918. 
Lower:   View  from  Mont  Sec,  showing  ammunition  dump  burning  from  explosion  of 

German  shell. 


SOISSONS  131 

brigades.*^    Only  a  few  hundred  prisoners  were  captured  dur- 
ing the  day. 

The  attack  of  the  2d  Brigade  is  thus  described  by  an 
observer  northwest  of  Chaudun.  In  this  story  can  be  seen 
something  of  the  discipline  and  of  the  courage  that  prevailed 
in  these  matchless  battaUons. 

It  was  in  the  early  afternoon  of  July  20th,  a  hot,  simny  day,  that  the 
first  movement  of  our  infantry,  looking  to  an  attack  on  Berzy-le-Sec, 
was  revealed.  The  ground  along  the  Paris-Soissons  road,  vmtil  then  occu- 
pied only  by  some  of  our  batteries  and  now  deserted,  save  for  their  per- 
sonnel, suddenly  became  ahve  with  men.  Under  the  torn  boughs  of  the 
poplars  and  marching  toward  the  southeast  appeared  a  strong  force  of 
infantry.  The  composition  of  this  force  was  not  known  to  the  observer 
and  he  was  not  aware  of  the  impending  attack.  Field  glasses  were  leveled 
in  its  direction  to  discover  its  identity.  Meanwhile,  more  of  the  infantry 
appeared  and  it  was  seen  that  the  men  were  in  attack  formation,  except 
that  they  were  moving  by  the  flank.  Their  pace  was  slow  and  impressive — 
about  that  at  which  a  barrage  rolls.  The  faces  of  the  infantry,  in  the 
shadow  of  the  steel  helmets,  appeared  black,  and  a  French  officer  exclaimed : 
" They  are  the  tirailleurs!"  referring  to  the  Algerian  regiment  of  the  Moroc- 
can Division  on  the  right  of  the  First  Division.  But  further  inspection 
showed  they  were  not  tirailleurs.  They  were  the  remnants  of  available 
reserves  of  the  First  Division  after  three  days  of  terrific  battle.  On  the 
breast  of  each  man  was  the  unmistakable  box  respirator,  and  the  broad 
American  bayonets  flashed  in  the  hot  July  sun.  The  wide  column  slowly 
wound  down  the  grassy  ravine  toward  the  Crise.  It  was  probably  some- 
what over  a  kilometer  in  length  and  three  hundred  meters  wide.  Some 
time  after  its  rear  elements  had  cleared  the  Paris-Soissons  road,  there 
were  some  commands,  whistles  sounded  and  the  column  halted. 

At  about  this  time  it  was  joined  by  a  small  force,  coming  from  the 
southeast.  The  halt  was  not  for  long.  The  whole  column,  until  then 
moving  in  attack  formation  by  the  right  flank,  was  suddenly  faced  to  the 
left  toward  its  objective,  Berzy-le-Sec. 

Its  march  thus  far  had  been  unmolested.  It  seems  curious  that  this 
large  body  of  infantry  was  not  seen  as  it  crossed  the  high  ground  of  the 
Paris-Soissons  road  by  the  enemy's  observatories  south  of  the  Aisne.  Its 
slow  and  stately  movement  was,  however,  uninterrupted. 

Meanwhile  our  artillery  had  been  pounding  Berzy-Ie-Sec  and  the 
heights  above  it,  but,  to  the  observer  at  Chaudun,  the  effect  of  this  fire 
was  concealed  by  intervening  high  ground. 

Our  leading  waves  now  appeared  approaching  the  crest  of  the  ridge 
above  Berzy-le-Sec,  following  the  barrage.    Each  individual  soldier  in  the 

«  War  Diary,  2d  Brigade.    Report,  First  Division,  July  27,  1918. 


1H2  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

attack  was  distinctly  visible  against  the  grassy  hillsides.  The  whole  mass 
was  proceeding  with  the  utmost  regularity  and  precision.  As  the  leading 
elements  reached  the  crest  of  the  ridge,  a  single  battery  of  enemy  150-mm. 
howitzers  opened  fire  with  time  shell,  obvioush'  with  observed  fire  on  the 
target.  This  battery  was  followed  ahnost  at  once  by  many  other  batteries 
of  150-mm.  and  105-mm.  howitzers,  all  filing  time  shell.  The  accuracy  of 
preparation  of  this  fire  was  such  that  practically  no  adjustment  was 
requiretl,  and,  almost  immediately,  our  infantry  was  shi'oudod  in  smoke 
and  dust.  Great  gaps  were  left  in  the  ranks  as  the  shells  crashed  among 
them.  Neverthele.ss,  the  advance  continued  in  the  most  orderly  way. 
It  was  noticed  that  the  enemy's  artillery-  diminished  its  range  as  our  infantry 
advanced. 

Many  of  our  infantry  passetl  out  of  sight  over  the  ridge,  accompanied 
t)y  the  devastating  fire  of  the  enemy's  artillery.  Men  struck  by  the  enemy's 
fire  either  disappeared  or  ran  aimlessly  about  and  toppled  over. 

Then  began  to  be  heard  also  the  rattle  of  the  enemy's  machine  guns. 
The  attack  had  met  the  resistance  of  a  strong  position  occupied  in  great 
force  by  the  enemy.  It  could  not  be  taken  at  this  time  bj^  our  worn  soldiers, 
and,  after  this  advance,  they  could  go  no  farther.  The  thin  lines  lay  down 
in  shell  holes,  while  long  files  of  woundetl  hobbled  painfully  back. 

Then  appeared  a  sight  which  at  first  seemed  inexplicable.  Individual 
men  and  groups  of  twos  and  threes  began  to  wander  about  all  over  the 
field.  They  were  the  imit  leaders,  reorganizing  their  groups  against 
counter-attack. 

Thus  the  afternoon  passed  and  night  fell. 

The  Moroccans  had  advanced  in  Uaison  with  the  1st 
Brigade,  but  the  lo3d  Division  was  unable  to  progress.'*^ 
During  the  night  the  1st  Moroccan  Division  was  reheved  by 
the  87th  French  Division,  and  the  lo3d  French  Division  was 
reinforced  by  elements  of  the  60tli  French  Division."  Of  all 
the  divisions  that  began  the  assault  on  this  front,  the  First 
American  Division  was  the  onlj'  one  that  now  remained 
unaided.  Notwithstanding  the  ordeal  through  which  they 
had  passed,  the  men  ever>^'here  were  cheerful.  Some  organi- 
zations had  received  no  food,  but  both  food  and  water  reached 
them  diu-ing  the  night.  There  was  no  lack  of  ammunition, 
although  it  could  only  be  delivered  in  the  forward  area  by  the 
use  of  Pack  Train  No.  10.  Some  detachments  had  no  officers, 
but  thev   were  being    ablv    directed    bv    non-commissioned 


"  Report,  First  Division,  .July  27,  1!)1S. 

"  Orders  202,  10th  Army.    Orders  2:{(i,  20th  <  'ori)s. 


SOISSONS  1:53 

officers  and  privates.  The  Army  Coninuuider  stated  that  the 
Division  would  be  rehevcd  on  the  night  of  July  21st,  and  this 
information  was  communicated  to  the  men/'' 

The  situation,  however,  was  most  serious.  The  losses 
had  already  mounted  to  nearly  seven  thousand,  including  a 
large  number  of  the  most  experienced  men  and  most  of  the 
best-known  officers.  The  bodies  of  the  dead  lay  everywhere, 
and  all  available  transportation  was  impressed  to  bring  the 
wounded  to  the  field  hospitals.  The  artillery  was  active  on 
both  sides  along  the  entire  front.  Frequent  calls  by  the  enemy 
brought  down  counter-preparation  fire  upon  the  scattered 
front  lines,  but  they  lay  securely  with  machine  guns  and  auto- 
matic rifles  posted  to  meet  counter-attacks.  Darkness  and 
the  tall  grain,  together  with  the  frequent  bursts  of  fire,  caused 
such  confusion  as  to  make  it  difficult  to  find  units  and  to 
maintain  liaison.  No  class  of  men  distinguished  itself  more 
than  the  runners,  who  bore  orders  and  served  as  guides  with  a 
courage  and  a  skill  tliat  made  them  second  to  none  in  their 
accomplishments.  They  were  generallj'  young  lads,  and  with 
calm  resignation  they  constantly  passed  the  dead  bodies  of 
their  comrades  along  the  way.  "There  lies  my  buddy,"  one 
said  quietly,  pointing  out  a  form  curled  up  in  a  shell  hole  and 
knowing  full  ^^'oll  that  his  own  body  might  be  left  on  the  same 
trail  before  the  battle  ended. 

During  July  20th  the  First  Division  had  been  opposed 
by  the  enemy's  11th  Bavarian  Division,  the  42d  Division,  the 
34th  Division  and  the  28th  Division.'"' 

Fourth  Day,  July  21st.— During  the  night  of  July  20th 
orders  were  received  from  the  20th  Corps  that  the  attack 
would  be  resumed  at  4:45  a.  m.,  July  21st.  It  was  learned, 
however,  that  the  153d  French  Division,  which  belonged  to 
the  1st  French  Corps,  would  not  attack  until  8:30  a.  m.  To 
meet  this  situation,  as  well  as  to  give  more  powerful  artillery 
support,  the  1st  Brigade  was  ordered  to  assault  at  4:45  a.  m. 
and  the  2d  Brigade  at  8:30  a.  m.  All  the  artillery  was  to  cover 
the  advance  of  the  1st  Brigade  by  a  rolling  barrage  and  by 

*'  Verbal  statement  of  Division  Commander. 

"  Enemy  order  of  battle.    Headquarters  First  Army  and  G.  H.  Q. 


134  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

concentrations  on  the  exposed  left  flanks.  Fire  for  destruction 
by  all  the  heavy  artillery  was  to  be  delivered  on  Berzy-le-Sec 
for  three  hours  preceding  the  advance  of  the  2d  Brigade/' 
In  order  to  facilitate  its  missions,  the  5th  Field  Aa-tillery  on 
the  night  of  July  20th  advanced  the  3d  Battalion  to  the 
Missy  ravine. 

The  2d  Brigade  had  not  employed  the  2d  Battalion,  18th 
Infantr}',  on  the  afternoon  of  July  20th.  Although  the 
battaUon  had  undergone  fatigue,  marches  and  losses,  it  was 
the  only  unused  element  in  the  Division.  One  company 
and  the  remnant  of  the  3d  Battalion,  18th  Infantry',  were  sent 
to  the  2d  Brigade;  two  companies  were  taken  by  the  18th 
Infantry  for  the  assault  of  July  21st  and  one  company  was 
placed  in  reserve  of  the  1st  Brigade.''^  In  front  of  the  depleted 
regiments  lay  some  of  the  most  difficult  positions  that  could 
be  found.  Berzy-le-Sec,  with  the  stronglj'  organized  flanking 
positions  to  the  north,  had  alreadj'  defied  the  resolute  attack 
of  the  previous  day.  In  front  of  the  1st  Brigade  the  ground 
was  a  succession  of  steep  ridges  covered  with  thick  brush. 
The  valley  of  the  Crise  ravine  contained  a  fairly  deep  stream, 
and  its  bottom  was  marshy  and  interspersed  wiih  treacherous 
sloughs  or  overrun  with  rank  vegetation.  Beyond  lay  the 
plateau  of  Buzancy  that  loomed  forbiddingly  with  its  elaborate 
machine  gun  defenses. 

At  4:45  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  July  21st,  without 
artillery  preparation  and  led  by  a  rolhng  barrage  which 
dropped  accurately  in  front  of  the  line,  the  1st  Brigade  ad- 
vanced with  a  dash  that  was  out  of  aU  proportion  to  its  feeble 
numbers.  The  18th  Infantry  had  two  companies  of  the  2d 
Battalion  and  the  depleted  1st  Battalion  in  line  and  one  com- 
pany of  the  2d  Battalion  in  support.  The  16th  Infantry 
retained  the  formation  of  the  previous  day  with  the  remnants 
of  its  battalions  in  the  order  3d,  1st,  2d.  Company  B,  1st 
Engineers,  was  placed  in  support  of  the  left  flank.  The  18th 
Infantry  crossed  the  Crise  ravine  and  the  Soissons-Chateau- 
Thierry  road  and  planted  itself  on  the  heights  of  Buzancj'^^  and 

"  F.  O.  No.  29,  First  Division. 

"  War  Diary,  2d  Battalion,  ISth  Infantry. 

*'  War  Diaries,  F'irst  Divinion  and  1st  Brigade. 


SOISSONS  135 

on  its  objective  line  to  the  north.  At  the  Chateau  of  Buzancy 
more  than  two  hundred  prisoners  were  captured  in  a  deep 
cavern.  The  men  fought  with  the  resohition  born  of  days 
and  nights  of  suffering  and  danger.  They  struggled  through 
the  brush  and  the  mire,  each  one  bent  on  keeping  his  place  in 
the  forefront  of  battle.  They  had  led  the  Division  from  the 
beginning  and  they  were  determined  not  to  faU  now,  however 
enfeebled  their  bodies  or  diminished  their  numbers.  The  dead 
and  the  wounded  increased  with  their  progress,  and  even  with 
their  scattering  groups  the  losses  became  heavy.  As  was 
expected,  the  fiercest  fighting  was  reserved  for  the  coveted 
plateau  of  Buzancy.  Summoning  their  last  breath,  they 
charged  and  the  fulness  of  victory  was  their  reward.  It  was 
indeed  a  fitting  climax  to  the  heart-breaking  ordeal  through 
which  they  had  passed.  The  crest  line,  consecrated  by  the 
blood  of  these  heroes,  must  ever  remain  a  hallowed  spot. 
The  16th  Infantry  advanced  in  liaison  with  the  18th  Infantry 
to  the  objective  and  extended  the  line  to  the  northwest. 

At  5:30  A.  M.  the  bombardment  dropped  on  Berzy-le-Sec 
and  continued  with  crushing  effect  until  8:30  a.  m.,  when  the 
concentrations  lifted  in  front  of  the  2d  Brigade.  With  the 
brigade  commander  and  his  staff  in  the  first  wave,  the  feeble 
echelons  moved  to  the  attack.  The  26th  Infantry  began  with 
the  2d  and  3d  Battahons  in  the  assault  waves  and  ended  with 
all  that  was  left  of  the  regiment  in  one  thin  line.^"  The  28th 
Infantry  advanced  with  the  1st  and  2d  Battalions  and  the 
elements  from  the  18th  Infantry  in  line  and  the  3d  Battalion 
in  support.  The  troops  swept  through  Berzy-le-Sec,  capturing 
a  battery  of  77-mm.  guns  that  fired  at  point-blank  range  from 
near  the  edge  of  the  town,  and  the  remnants  of  a  battalion 
of  machine  gimners  and  infantry  in  the  town.  At  9:15  the 
brigade  was  on  its  objective,  which  was  the  crest  of  the  valley 
east  of  the  town.  Liaison  was  at  once  established  with  the 
1st  Brigade.  The  Division  line  ran  north  of  Berzy-le-Sec 
across  the  Soissons-Chateau-Thierry  road  to  and  including  the 
heights  north  of  Buzancy  over  a  distance  of  three  and  one- 
half  kilometers.     The  Division  was  facing  northeast  on  the 

">  Report,  26th  Infantry,  August  .3,  1918. 


136  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

objective  originally  assigned  and  protected  the  left  flank  of 
the  Corps.  ^'  Its  mission  was  fulfilled  to  the  letter.  Patrols 
reached  Rozieres  and  pushed  out  in  the  direction  of  Noyant. 
Few  of  them,  however,  retuT'ned.  Barrage  lines  were  estab- 
lished and  the  captured  ground  was  organized  for  defense.  All 
that  remtiined  of  each  regiment  was  practically  in  the  front 
waves.  Throughout  the  advance  the  machine  guns  had  ren- 
dered services  of  a  high  order,  suppressing  hostile  machine 
guns  and  reaching  exposed  groups  of  the  enemy.  In  their  new 
positions  the  thin  Unes  were  subjected  to  constant  bombard- 
ment. The  enemy's  batteries  and  his  machine  gims  on  the 
slopes  in  the  vicinity  of  Noyant  became  the  especial  targets 
for  the  Divisional  artillery.  In  this  last  supreme  effort  the 
First  Division  had  fought  its  way  to  victory  against  the  Ger- 
man 11th  Division,  the  42d  Division,  the  46th  Division  and 
the  28th  Division. ^^ 

Toward  night  the  news  came  that  the  relief  which  had 
been  promised  by  the  Army  Commander  could  not  be  made, 
as  it  was  impossible  for  the  British  division  to  arrive  in  time 
to  take  its  place. ^^  But  the  tide  had  turned.  The  enemy  had 
recrossed  the  Marne  and  begun  the  retreat  which  never  ended 
until  the  armistice  stopped  pursuit. ^^  With  the  approach  of 
darkness,  fires,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  see,  lit  the  ]\Iarne  Salient 
showing  that  he  was  burning  the  munitions  and  stores  that 
he  could  not  remove,  and,  in  accordance  with  orders,  his  troops 
were  putting  the  torch  to  the  helpless  French  villages. 

The  observer  near  Chaudun  gives  the  following  descrip- 
tion of  the  assault  of  the  2d  Brigade  on  July  21st: 

The  attack  was  preceded  by  a  heavy  fire  of  preparation  on  Berzy-le-Sec 
and  the  neighboring  defenses  of  the  enemy.  This  fire  lasted  a  considerable 
time  and  at  its  conclusion  the  infantrymen  rose  from  the  shell  holes  where 
they  had  passed  the  night  and  again  advanced  in  attack  formation  on  the 
objectives.  As  before,  the  enemy  batteries  of  105's  and  ISO's  opened  fire 
with  time  shell.  The  ranks  of  the  infantry  were  again  thinned  by  the 
heavy  fire  of  the  enemy's  artillery.    But  through  clouds  of  dust  and  smoke 


*'  War  Diary,  First  Divi-sion. 

•'■'  Enemy  order  of  battle,  Headquarters  First  Army  and  G.  H.  Q. 

"  Orders  2:i9,  2nth  Corps. 

"  Von  Hindcnburg,  Out  of  My  Life. 


SOISSONS  VM 

our  infantry  advanced  and  finally  every  soldier  in  the  attack,  able  to 
move,  disappeared  from  sight  over  the  crest.  The  artillery  fire  of  the 
enemy  became  visible  only  in  drifting  clouds  of  smoke.  With  the  diminu- 
tion of  the  enemy's  artillery  fire  came  a  great  increase  in  his  machine  gun 
fire,  the  droning  sound  of  a  considerable  nvunber  being  distinctly  audible. 
Near  the  old  wooden  shed  on  the  crest  over  which  the  infantry  had 
passed  appeared  long  files  of  men  returning.  They  wore  the  unmistakable 
German  helmet  and  were  unarmed.  Not  long  after,  they  passed  under 
guard  within  earshot,  and  in  reply  to  questions,  the  guards  stated  that 
everything  was  going  finely.  Shortly  after,  our  wounded  hobbled  past, 
pale,  worn  and  bloody,  but  with  the  elation  of  victorious  battle  in  their 
faces.  They  stated  proudly  that  they  had  captured  many  prisoners  and 
gims  and  that  they  had  taken  the  town  of  Berzy-le-Sec,  the  last  objective 
of  the  Division. 

Fifth  Day,  July  22d.— On  the  morning  of  July  22d  the 
26th  Infantry  advanced  its  hne  sUghtly  and  occupied  the 
Sucrerie  from  which  enemy  snipers  had  given  much  annoy- 
ance.^^ Throughout  the  day  every  effort  was  made  to  bury 
the  dead.  As  the  hours  wore  on,  the  enemy's  air  service  became 
very  active,  and  many  planes,  flying  Iom^,  used  their  machine 
gims  upon  all  persons  seen  by  them.  The  numerous  hostile 
artillery  located  the  lines  and  harassed  them  with  shell.  It 
also  successfully  fired  for  destruction  against  the  American 
batteries,  and  in  one  position  two  howitzers  of  the  5th  Field 
Artillery  were  destroyed.  During  the  night  there  was  a  great 
deal  of  enemy  bombing,  especially  upon  the  roads  over  which 
the  relief  took  place. 

The  advance  parties  of  the  15th  Scottish  Division  arrived 
during  the  morning  and  made  preliminary  reconnaissances. 
Pending  the  arrival  of  ammunition  for  the  British  guns,  the 
relief  order,  at  the  voluntary  suggestion  of  the  First  Division, 
specified  that  the  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  and  the  1st 
Ammunition  Train  should  remain  to  support  the  Scottish 
Division  in  the  assault  that  it  was  to  make  the  following 
morning.  The  1st  Sanitary  Train  was  also  left  to  assist  in 
caring  for  the  British  wounded.  These  troops  had  borne  well 
their  part  during  the  long  strain,  and  while  their  losses  had 
not  been  so  disabling  as  those  of  the  infantry,  they  had  suffered 

'*  yS'av  Diar>-,  First,  Divi.sion. 


138  HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 

many  casualties.  However,  they  cheerfully  accepted  the  pro- 
longation of  their  stay,  glad  to  add  their  strength  to  the  fresh 
vigor  of  their  British  comrades.^''  The  remainder  of  the  Divi- 
sion was  relieved  during  the  night  and  assembled  along  the 
national  road  in  the  Forest  of  Villers-Cotterets. 

Sixth  Day,  July  23d.— At  midnight,  July  22d-23d,  the 
command  of  the  sector  passed  to  the  Scottish  Division.  At 
dawn,  July  23d,  the  Scots  attacked  all  along  their  front,  covered 
by  a  rolling  barrage  and  concentrations  from  the  1st  Field 
Artillery  Brigade.  The  resistance  encountered  was  so  great 
that  little  progress  was  made,  Ijut  the  Americans  were  impressed 
by  the  fine  fighting  spirit  that  was  manifested.  Unfortunately, 
due  to  unavoidable  difficulty  and  confusion  in  locating  the 
infantry  front  line,  the  rolling  barrage  was  too  far  advanced 
and  afforded  insufficient  protection  to  the  troops  in  the  assault. 
Later  in  the  day,  the  artillery  was  able  to  place  its  defensive 
barrage  accurately  in  assisting  the  Scottish  infantry  to  repel 
a  counter-attack.  The  new  division  suffered  many  casualties 
during  the  relief  and  the  assault,  and  their  wounded  were 
cared  for  at  the  First  Division  field  hospitals.  As  the  British 
artillery  became  able  to  take  over  their  missions,  the  1st  Field 
Artillery  Brigade,  the  1st  Ammunition  Train  and  the  1st 
Sanitary  Train  were  relieved  by  echelons  during  the  nights  of 
July  23d-24th  and  24th-25th." 

It  was  a  memorable  sight  that  appeared  in  the  woods 
behind  the  lines  on  the  morning  of  July  23d.  The  battalions 
looked  like  companies.  Many  of  the  well-known  officers  and 
men  were  gone.  To  facilitate  the  formation  of  the  units,  the 
company  kitchens  were  placed  along  the  road  to  mark  the 
points  of  assembly.  As  the  small  groups,  which  five  days 
before  had  been  large  companies,  gathered  at  the  kitchens, 
little  was  said.  In  some  cases  the  companies  were  commanded 
by  privates.  Every  battalion  commander  in  the  four  infantry 
regiments  was  a  casualty,  and  the  26th  Infantry  was  com- 
manded by  a  captain  of  less  than  two  years'  service.  Hot  food 
was  ready,  and,  after  eating,  all  slept  from  exhaustion.    The 

«  Orders  124.^,  20th  Corps.    F.  O.  No.  .TO,  First  Division,  1918. 
"  Report,  Finst  Division,  July  27,  1918. 


SOISSONS  139 

bands  of  the  regiments,  including  those  of  the  artillery,  were 
present  and  cheered  the  men  by  playing  popular  selections. 
Everyone  was  buoyant  and  showed  the  pride  that  was  felt 
in  the  wonderful  achievement  of  the  command.  Pale,  wan 
and  disheveled,  these  men  were  the  miracle  of  the  battle. 

Not  alone  by  the  gallant  infantry  regiments  was  victory 
won.  Every  arm  and  service  contributed  its  essential  part. 
The  artillerymen  worked  to  exhaustion  emplacing  their  guns 
and  serving  them  to  the  limit  of  endurance.  Men  and  horses 
were  killed  and  wounded  in  the  battery  positions  and  guns 
were  blown  up,  but  there  was  never  a  lack  of  fire  when  it  was 
needed,  either  to  advance  or  to  hold  the  ground  gained. 

The  1st  Ammunition  Train  moved  ceaselessly  during  the 
battle,  delivering  the  shells  and  cartridges  up  to  the  very 
front.  Trucks  were  destroyed  and  men  were  killed  and 
wounded,  but  nothing  deterred  those  faithful  drivers  in  their 
missions. 

The  1st  Regiment  of  Engineers  suffered  almost  as  great 
a  percentage  of  casualties  in  some  of  their  companies  as  the 
infantry.  They  not  only  helped  overcome  natiu-al  obstacles, 
but,  where  necessary,  supported  and  fought  with  the  front  line. 

The  machine  gunners  were  ever  shoulder  to  shoulder  with 
the  infantry,  and  the  conspicuous  targets  that  they  presented, 
as  well  as  their  aggressiveness,  made  their  casualties  particu- 
larly large. 

Communications  played  a  determining  part  in  the  battle, 
and  the  2d  Field  Signal  Battalion  rivaled  their  comrades  in 
the  line  in  their  fearless  determination.  When  transportation 
could  not  proceed,  these  tireless  workers  converted  themselves 
into  pack  horses,  carrying  great  reels  of  wire  for  miles  and 
constructing  and  maintaining  the  lines. 

No  one  could  have  anticipated  such  numbers  of  wounded, 
yet  the  ambulance  companies  made  their  way  day  and  night 
over  the  congested  roads  and  flowed  in  a  constant  stream  to 
and  from  the  dressing  stations.  Some  of  the  ambulances 
were  destroyed  by  direct  hits.  At  the  field  hospitals,  surgeons 
and  attendants  forgot  day  or  night  in  their  zeal  to  save  lives 
and  to  relieve  suffering.  The  total  admissions  amounted 
to  9789. 


140  HISTORY   (JF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

While  thp  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Medical  D(>purtment 
serving  with  the  comlxit  troops  were  organic  ))arts  of  the  units, 
their  accomplishments  were  a  distinct  feature  of  the  battle 
that  won  the  admiration  and  gratitude  of  all.  There  were  no 
finer  exhibitions  of  courage  and  self-sacrifice  than  those  of 
the  surgeons  and  the  litter  bearers  who  starved  with  the  advanc- 
ing lines,  collected  the  wounded,  administered  such  aid  as  was 
possible  and  dispatched  them  to  the  field  hospitals.  Some  of 
them  made  the  supreme  sacrifice  and  many  bear  wounds  which 
are  eloquent  of  their  devotion.  The  chaplains,  no  less  than 
the  medical  personnel,  labored  to  succor  the  wounded  and 
exposed  themselves  fearlessly. 

The  supply  train  not  only  brought  food  to  the  places 
where  it  could  be  distributed,  but  was  utilized  in  taking  hun- 
dreds of  wounded  for  whom  there  was  no  other  transportation. 
With  a  single  road,  badly  torn  by  shell  holes,  traffic  could  not 
have  continued  without  the  control  of  the  Military  Police, 
who  kept  the  way  open  and  directed  vehicles  and  wandering 
men  during  the  long  hours  of  the  nights.  When  the  Division 
Headquarters  was  bombed,  it  was  the  Headquarters  Trooji 
that  suffered  most  in  the  exposed  dutj'  of  guarding  and  main- 
taining the  nerve  center  of  the  command. 

Here,  as  always,  the  mess  sergeants,  the  cooks  and  the 
details  with  the  kitchens  and  water  carts  showed  the  same 
high  courage  and  devotion  as  their  comrades  in  the  firing 
line.  Theirs  was  a  no  less  vital  part  in  the  success  of  the 
Division.  In  their  determination  to  reach  their  companies 
they  suffered  death  and  wounds,  yet  those  who  survived 
carried  sustenance  to  the  very  front  waves  and  distributed  the 
precious  nourishment  to  the  famished  men. 

A  measure  of  praise,  little  comprehended,  is  due  the  staffs 
of  all  elements.  Thej^  bore  exhaustion  and  fatigue  and  suffered 
losses  in  their  tireless  efforts  to  ascertain  the  needs  of  the  com- 
mand and  to  meet  the  ever-varying  situation.  Indeed,  to 
them  must  be  given  the  credit  for  the  employment  and  the 
sustenance  of  the  troops,  without  which  their  sacrifices  would 
have  been  in  vain. 

Victory  and  Its  Price. — In  this  battle  the  Division  fought 
for  five  days  continuously  and  the  artillery  fought  for  six  and 


SOISSONS  141 

seven  days.  It  gained  eleven  kilometers  across  the  enemy's 
rear  against  the  most  powerful  resistance  that  he  could  offer. 
It  cut  the  railroad  and  the  high  road  from  Soissons  to  the  point 
of  the  Marne  Salient,  upon  which  the  enemy  mainly  depended 
for  his  supply.  It  met  and  overcame  elements  of  seven  hostile 
divisions.  It  captured  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  officers, 
three  thousand  three  hundred  and  seventy-five  men,  seventy- 
five  field  guns  and  howitzers,  fifty  trench  mortars,  five  hundred 
machine  guns  and  quantities  of  ammunition  and  stores." 
In  addition  to  the  prisoners,  great  numbers  of  enemy  dead  were 
scattered  about  the  field. 

The  Division  came  out  depleted  beyond  any  fomier 
standards,  but  it  was  still  a  fighting  unit  and  was  destined  to 
become  stronger  than  before.    The  casualties  amounted  to: 

Killed  or  died  of  wounds 77  officers,  1,637  men 

Wounded 157  officers,  5,3.3.5  men 

Missing 76  men 

Prisoners 35  men 

Total 234  officers,  7,083  men^^ 

As  far  as  possible,  the  dead  were  buried  during  the  battle, 
although  casualties  sometimes  occurred  among  the  burying 
parties.  Many  bodies  were  left  unburied,  either  because 
they  could  not  be  found  in  the  thick  grain  or  brush,  or  because 
the  enemy's  fire  prevented  them  from  being  moved.  With 
true  comradeship,  the  British  collected  and  buried  them  when 
the  sector  quieted  and  sent  to  the  Division  the  usual  articles 
taken  from  their  clothing. 

On  the  fourth  day  of  the  attack  the  enemy  began  a  general 
retreat  from  the  Marne  SaUent.  In  these  four  days  the  face 
of  the  world  had  changed  for  Germany.  The  Battle  of  Soissons 
was  the  turning  point  of  the  war.  As  such,  it  must  take  its 
place  in  history  as  one  of  the  world's  great,  decisive  battles. 
It  does  not  diminish  the  glory  of  others  to  give  to  the  First 
Division  the  place  in  the  great  victory  that  it  won  by  its 
achievements  and  its  sacrifices. 


''<'  Report,  First  Division,  July  27,  1918. 
^'  Casualty  records.  First  Division. 


142  HISTORY  OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

In  recognition  of  the  participation  by  the  American  3d 
Army  Corps,  to  which  the  First  Division  belonged,  the  Com- 
mander of  the  10th  French  Army  issued  the  following  order: 

10th  Army 

Staff  Headquarters,  30th  July,  1918. 

3d  Bureau 

No.  862/S 

General  Order  No.  318 

Officers,  Non-commissioned  Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the  3d  United  States 

Army  Corps 

Shoulder  to  shoulder  with  your  French  comrades  you  were  thrown 
into  the  counter-offensive  battle  which  commenced  on  the  18th  of  July. 

You  rushed  into  the  fight  as  though  to  a  fete. 

Your  magnificent  courage  completely  routed  a  surprised  enemy  and 
your  indomitable  tenacity  checked  the  counter-attacks  of  his  fresh  divisions. 

You  have  shown  yourselves  worthy  Sons  of  your  Great  Country  and 
you  were  admired  by  your  brothers  in  arms. 

91  guns,  7,200  prisoners,  immense  booty,  10  kilometers  of  country 
reconquered;   this  is  your  portion  of  the  spoil  of  victory. 

Furthermore,  you  have  really  felt  your  superiority  over  the  harlxirous 
enemy  of  the  whole  human  race,  against  whom  the  children  of  Liberty 
are  striving. 

To  attack  him  is  to  vanquish  him. 

American  Comrades!  I  am  grateful  to  you  for  the  blood  so  generously 
spilled  on  the  soil  of  my  Country. 

I  am  proud  to  have  commanded  you  during  such  days  and  to  have 
fought  with  you  for  the  dehverance  of  the  world. 

Mangin. 


CHAPTB]R  VI 


THE  SAIZERAIS  SECTOR 


Movement  to  the  Sector. — On  July  23d  French  trucks 
conveyed  the  foot  troops  to  the  area  of  Dammartin-en-Goele, 
and  the  other  elements  of  the  Division  followed  by  marching 
to  billets  in  the  same  locality.  There  was,  however,  little  time 
to  rest.  The  advantage  gained  over  the  enemy  must  be  pressed 
in  order  to  reap  the  fruits  of  victory.  Fresh  divisions  were 
needed  in  the  line  and  the  only  way  to  provide  them  was  to 
replace  those  in  stabiUzed  sectors  by  divisions  that  had  been 
engaged.  Thus,  without  waiting  for  replacements,  the  First 
Division  was  hurried,  after  a  few  days'  rest,  back  to  Lorraine, 
where  it  was  designated  to  relieve  the  2d  Moroccan  Division 
in  the  Saizerais  Sector,  northeast  of  Toul.  The  movement  by 
rail  from  the  Dammartin-en-Goele  area  began  on  July  28th 
and  proceeded  smoothly.  Division  Headquarters  was  estab- 
Ushed  at  Gondreville  July  30th,  and  on  that  date  the  Division 
was  concentrated  in  the  same  area.^ 

The  Sector. — The  eastern  boundary  of  the  Saizerais 
Sector  ran  along  the  foot  of  the  hills  bordering  the  left  bank 
of  the  Moselle  River  and  the  sector  extended  westward  about 
eight  kilometers  (Map  VII).  On  the  right,  the  hills  rose  steeply 
to  a  height  of  several  hundred  feet.  They  were  broken  by 
ravines  and  were  densely  wooded.  The  famous  Bois-le-Pretre 
occupied  the  eastern  half.  There  were  extensive  open  areas 
toward  the  front  of  the  left  portion  of  the  sector,  but  the  rear 
area  was  also  broken  by  deep  ravines  and  covered  with  dense 
woods.  The  front  line  trench  system  formed  a  deep  maze, 
which  required  signboards  to  guide  the  occupants.  Many  rows 
of  wire  entanglement  covered  the  entire  front  on  both  sides 
of  no-man's-land.  The  woods  had  been  rendered  impassable 
by  a  succession  of  rows  of  wire  nailed  to  the  trees.  A  fair 
trench  system  had  been  dug  for  a  second  position,  but  it  was 

»F.  O.  No.  31,  First  Division,  1918. 

(143) 


144  HISTORY   OF   THE    FIRST    DIVISION 

ill  ranj!;(>  of  \hc  ononiy's  guns  and  a  new  sccoiul  position  larthcr 
(o  the  rear  tiad  liccn  partially  const nictcd.  A  third  j)()sition 
had  boon  planned,  Ijut  with  the  exception  of  some  wire 
entanglements  and  machine  gun  emplacements,  little  con- 
struction had  been  done.  Much  reliance  for  the  defense  of 
the  sector  was  placed  on  the  automatic  rifles  in  the  first  and 
second  positions,  and  on  the  machine  guns  which  w^re  disposed 
in  depth. 

This  front  had  seen  heavy  fighting,  especially  in  1915, 
when  the  forward  areas  changed  hands  repeatedh'  with  great 
losses  on  both  sides.  Since  then,  it  had  been  quiet,  but  it 
offered  a  tempting  route  of  advance  should  the  enemy  renew 
his  efforts  in  this  direction.  Up  to  this  time,  the  Allied  forces 
could  only  speculate  upon  his  intentions  and  try  to  thwart 
them  defensively. 

The  German  lines  opposite  the  sector  w'ere  held  by  the 
77th  Reserve  Division  and  the  255th  Division. - 

After  reconnaissances  were  made,  the  relief  of  the  Moroc- 
cans began  on  the  night  of  Avigust  4th-5th  and  was  completed 
on  August  8th,  when  the  sector  passed  under  the  command 
of  the  First  Division  with  Headquarters  at  Saizerais.  From 
its  experiences  in  the  Cantigny  Sector  and  at  Soissons,  the 
Division  adopted  a  normal  formation  of  placing  the  brigades 
and  the  regiments  in  line.  The  sub-sectors  were  occupied 
from  right  to  left  in  the  order,  26th  Infantry,  28th  Infantry, 
3d  Machine  Gun  BattaUon,  18th  Infantry,  16th  Infantry  and 
2d  Machine  Gun  Battalion.  The  front  line  trenches  were 
held  very  lightly  in  depth  by  a  battalion  of  each  regiment. 
Small  groups  of  men,  widely  separated,  Avere  placed  in  the 
line  of  observation.  Outposts  and  listening  posts  were 
pushed  to  the  front  and  their  positions  were  changed  each 
day  and  for  the  night  in  order  to  avoid  losses  and  identifica- 
tions by  hostile  raiding  parties.  The  second  position  was  held 
by  a  battalion  of  each  regiment  that  worked  on  the  construc- 
tion of  the  new  trenches.  The  remaining  battalion  of  each 
regiment  was  billeted  near  the  third  position  and  was  inten- 

'  G-2,  First  Division  History    of    German    Divisions.      G.  H.  Q.     0-13.      First 
Division  examination  of  deserters,  August  19,  1918. 


THE   SAIZEHAIS    SWTOR  14.5 

sivel}'  trained  in  battalion  exci-ciscs  for  ojxMi  warfare.  As  the 
battalions  rotated  in  the  different  positions,  each  received  a 
short  period  of  training.  The  instruction  was  especially 
valuable  in  applying  the  experience  gained  at  Soissons  in 
reducing  enemy  machine  gun  nests;  in  the  disposition  and 
employment  of  the  machine  guns,  automatic  rifles,  37-mm. 
gims  and  Stokes  mortars;  in  liaison  to  preserve  cohesion  and 
formations;  and  in  marking  the  line  so  that  it  could  be  located 
by  friendh'  aviators.^ 

The  Field  Artillery  was  disposed  in  depth  so  that  all  guns 
could  fire  a  barrage  in  front  of  the  first  fine.  Three  old  model 
French  95-mm.  batteries  were  placed  in  advanced  positions 
for  harassing  the  enemy.  The  hostile  artillery  was  compara- 
tively quiet  and  the  American  fire  amounted  to  little  more  than 
that  required  for  adjustments. 

Life  in  the  Sector. — The  enemy's  patrols  were  very  active 
and  there  were  a  few  enemy  raids  accompanied  by  artillery 
fire  extending  back  to  the  second  line.  The  First  Division, 
however,  had  learned  the  art  of  evading  these  efforts,  and 
while  it  lost  few  prisoners,  there  were,  unfortunately,  a 
number  of  casualties  at  different  times  from  the  hostile  fire. 
An  especially  vicious  bombardment  and  raid  took  place  at 
2:00  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  August  17th.  At  another 
time,  the  men  detailed  at  a  listening  post  were  blown  up  by 
a  time  bomb  which  the  enemy  prepared,  and  one  of  them, 
supposed  to  have  been  killed,  was  afterward  discovered  as 
a  prisoner. 

The  1st  Engineers  was  employed  in  constructing  the  third 
position  and  made  considerable  progress.  The  machine  gun 
battalions  were  disposed  with  a  part  of  their  guns  in  the  defen- 
sive positions,  while  the  remainder  trained  with  the  infantry 
battahons.  As  was  usual,  the  2d  Field  Signal  Battalion  found 
it  necessary  to  improve  the  lines  of  information,  as  well  as  to 
maintain  them.  The  remaining  elements  of  the  Division  func- 
tioned to  serve  the  command  in  the  normal  manner. 

About  seven  thousand  replacements,  including  a  large 
number  of  officers,  came  to  the  Division  and  a  general  combing 

s  F.  O.  No.  32,  First  Division,  1918. 


14(5  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 

process  took  place  to  return  nuui  i'roni  special  duty  and 
detached  service  to  their  organizations.  Much  attention  was 
paid  to  messing  and  shelter  for  the  men  and  to  their  bearing 
and  deportment.  At  the  same  time,  the  animals  and  trans- 
portation were  brought  up  to  the  standards  developed  in 
Picardy.  The  new  persomiel  soon  became  imbued  with  the 
spirit  of  the  veterans  and  the  Division  not  only  regained  its 
strength  in  numbers,  but,  if  possible,  it  became  more  intense 
in  pride  and  morale.  Officers  and  men  were  given  short  vaca- 
tions in  the  leave  areas,  where  they  found  recreation  and  rest 
from  the  strain  of  constant  exposure  and  danger,  and  they 
returned  refreshed  nervously,  mentally  and  physically.  As 
far  as  practicable,  visiting  was  permitted  in  the  sector  and 
comradeship  grew  with  the  exchange  of  hospitalities.  The 
different  headquarters  frequently  invited  the  officers  of  other 
units  to  lunch,  where  they  grew  to  understand  and  sympathize 
with  each  others'  qualities.  The  French  Army  and  Corps 
commanders  set  an  example  by  their  own  generous  hospitality 
and  cordial  attitude.  Thus,  the  period  spent  in  the  Saizerais 
Sector  was  an  "era  of  good  feeling,"  and  became  an  important 
epoch  in  its  influence  upon  the  subsequent  career  of  the 
Division. 

The  First  Division  had  fairly  gained  the  status  of  a  shock 
division,  and  as  such  it  had  a  more  serious  mission  than 
occupying  a  quiet  sector.  The  High  Command  was  preparing 
to  reduce  the  St.  Mihiel  SaHent  and  the  Division  was  to  have  a 
part  that  was  worthy  of  its  power.  The  90th  American  Division 
made  its  appearance  in  the  Gondreville  Billeting  Area  and 
simultaneously  orders  came  to  reUeve  the  First  Division. 
Reconnaissances  were  made  and  the  relief  was  completed 
during  the  night  of  August  23d-24th.  The  1st  Field  Artillery 
Brigade  remained  until  August  28th,  when  the  missions  were 
taken  over  by  the  153d  Field  Artiller}'  Brigade,  attached  to 
the  90th  Division.  Although  this  division  entered  the  line 
here  for  the  first  time,  it  attracted  the  admiration  of  the  First 
Division  by  the  high  state  of  training  and  morale  that  it 
manifested,  as  well  as  by  the  excellence  of  its  personnel  and 
their  soldierly  bearing.    Relief  was  executed  with  smoothness 


THE  SAIZERAIS  SECTOR  147 

and  precision,  and  the  two  divisions  parted  with  the  most  cor- 
dial sentiments/ 

On  August  24th  the  Headquarters  of  the  First  Division 
was  established  in  Vaucouleurs,  and  the  Division  was  assembled 
in  that  area  for  special  training  in  the  part  that  it  was  to  take 
in  the  approaching  battle.''  The  1st  Ammunition  Train  and 
the  1st  Supply  Train  assisted  in  transporting  the  infantry. 
After  being  relieved  from  the  Saizerais  Sector,  the  1st  Field 
Artillery  Brigade  was  sent  to  the  Foret  de  la  Reine  to  await 
the  coming  of  the  Division  for  battle. 

The  total  casualties  in  the  Saizerais  Sector  amounted  to : 

Killed  or  died  of  wounds 1  officer,    14  men 

Wounded 1  officer,    31  men 

Missing 4  men 

Total 2  officers,  49  men* 

*  F.  O.  No.  .3.3,  Firet  Division,  1918. 
'  War  Diary,  First  Division. 

*  Casualty  records,  First  Division. 


[I   I'Acniionf, 


I'rPER:    Men  of  l.Stli  Iiiruiilry  nmiunn  ucmss  roMi 

l)eing  .shi'llod.     Dc;ul  Gormiiii  lyiiij;  on  sjiound. 
Lower:  7th  Field  Artillery,  First  Division,  reiiaiuc  street  :it  Xonsari 

of  President  Wilson,  Seirteniber  lo,  1918. 


r.-mre,  while  town  is 
Franee,  in   honor 


CHAPTER  VII 

VAUCOULEURS 

The  Area. — When  the  Division  arrived  in  the  Vaucouleurs 
Area  the  troops  found  themselves  not  far  from  Gondrecourt 
(Map  I),  which  one  year  before  had  been  the  scene  of  their 
elementary  instruction.  How  well  they  had  learned  those  first 
lessons  had  been  amply  demonstrated  by  their  successes  on 
four  portions  of  the  western  front.  They  had  made  the  names 
of  Cantigny  and  Soissons  imperishable  and  they  had  added 
luster  to  the  arms  of  their  country.  There  were  temptations, 
no  doubt,  to  renew  old  friendships  with  the  French  people  and 
to  tell  them  of  their  achievements,  but  this  was  not  a  time  for 
reminiscence  or  for  resting  on  the  laurels  won.  Indeed,  there 
was  in  every  heart  the  hunger  for  new  fields  to  conquer  until 
the  final  victory  should  be  gained.  Once  more  it  was  like 
some  providential  dispensation  to  place  these  new  crusaders 
in  the  very  home  of  Joan  of  Aj-c.  The  village  of  Domremy, 
where  she  was  born,  saw  in  its  streets  men  from  a  race  of  whom 
she  had  never  dreamed;  the  church  where  she  went  to  tell  of 
her  revelation  stood  like  a  benediction  over  the  land ;  and  the 
spirit  that  fired  her  soul  burned  in  the  stalwart  men  who  had 
come  from  a  new  world  to  save  her  beloved  France.  The  coun- 
try is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  in  all  France.  The  Meuse  River 
wound  its  way  through  green  meadows,  by  precipitous  hills 
with  their  white  chalk  bluffs,  and  under  picturesque  bridges, 
where  it  had  been  crossed  since  the  days  of  the  Romans.  The 
terrain  was  diversified  by  forests,  by  hills  and  ravines  and  by 
extensive  cultivated  areas.  The  season  was  cool  and  invigor- 
ating and  there  was  an  absence  of  the  constant  rain  and  mud 
that  elsewhere  had  brought  a  maximum  of  discomfort. 

Training. — A  schedule  for  ten  days  of  intensive  training 
was  prepared.  It  began  with  the  squad  and  progressed  to 
include  each  unit.  The  last  exercise  prescribed  an  attack  by 
the  entire  Division  over  a  section  of  country  which  reproduced 
almost  exactly  the  zone  of  action  that  was  assigned  to  the 

(  140  ) 


150  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Division  in  the  approaching  operation.  Much  emphasis  was 
placed  on  individual  skill  in  the  use  of  the  bayonet  and  in 
target  practice  with  the  special  infantry  arms  and  machine 
guns.  The  machine  gun  battaUon  and  the  machine  gun  com- 
panies were  assembled  for  co-ordinated  special  instruction. 

It  was  known  that  the  advance  of  the  Division  would  be 
across  man}'  lines  of  wire  entanglements.  Experiments  were 
conducted,  therefore,  to  determine  the  best  methods  of  cutting 
the  enemy's  wire,  and  details  from  the  Engineers  were  equipped 
with  wire  cutters  and  given  practice  in  their  use.  Other  details 
were  organized  to  employ  Bangalore  tubes  for  blowing  the 
wire,  and  still  other  details  were  trained  in  the  rapid  construc- 
tion of  foot-bridges  to  enable  the  infantry  to  cross  the  streams 
which  they  would  encounter. 

The  troops  marched  out  to  their  training  grounds  in  the 
early  hours  of  the  morning,  and  the  entire  day  was  occupied 
with  earnest  efforts  on  the  part  of  every  officer  and  man  to 
gain  a  maximum  of  benefit.  No  sooner  had  the  stage  for  the 
battalion  exercises  been  reached  than  the  training  was  cut 
short  by  an  order  from  the  American  Fourth  Corps  to  conduct 
the  Division  problem.  This  was  executed  in  everj'  detail, 
and,  except  for  the  absence  of  the  artillery,  it  was  a  complete 
rehearsal  of  the  battle.  During  the  advance,  the  infantry 
penetrated  a  dense  forest  for  several  kilometers,  through 
which  the  direction  could  only  be  kept  by  compass  bearing, 
but  the  Unes  retained  their  formations  practically  intact  over 
a  front  of  two  kilometers  and  a  depth  of  three  kilometers. 
The  officers  assembled  for  a  short  criticiue  and  the  Division 
was  ready.  In  the  meantime,  officers  had  been  sent  to  the 
various  cities  to  purchase  compasses  that  were  needed  for 
platoon  leaders  and  large  wire  cutters  that  were  required  by 
the  Engineers  for  the  heavy  German  wire. 

On  September  1st  the  men  turned  their  faces  toward  the 
sound  of  those  guns  of  St.  Mihiel,  which  a  year  before  had 
rung  in  their  ears  as  a  call  and  a  warning.^  At  last  was  to  be 
realized  the  dream  which  had  been  thought  of  always,  but 
spoken  of  never.    The  approach  of  fulfilment  quickened  eveiy 

'  F.  O.  No.  34,  First  Division,  1918. 


VAUCOULEURS  151 

step  and  heightened  every  resolve.    Faces  assumed  the  grim- 
ness  for  battle,  and  again  the  First  Division  advanced. 

To  hide  the  movement  from  the  enemy,  the  troops 
marched  by  night  and  rested  in  the  woods  by  day.  The  season 
of  sunshine  disappeared  and  the  elements  conspired  to  increase 
the  hardships.  Scarcely  had  the  march  begun,  when  a  heavy 
rain  came  to  soak  the  packs  and  to  convert  the  ground  into 
mud.  On  September  2d  the  troops  bivouacked  in  the  area  of 
Pagny-sur-Meuse,  where  Division  Headquarters  was  estab- 
Ushed  the  same  day.  On  September  8th  the  Headquarters 
moved  to  Rangeval  and  the  troops  marched  to  the  Foret  de 
la  Reine,  which  was  familiar  to  them  as  a  part  of  the  old 
Ansauville  Sector.^  No  fires  were  allowed.  The  weather  was 
rainy  and  cold  and  the  only  shelter  was  the  "dog"  tents  which 
made  a  part  of  the  packs.  Fresh  meat  became  an  unobtainable 
luxury  and  unpalatable  food  was  again  the  men's  preparation 
for  battle.  The  situation  was  accepted  with  characteristic 
cheerfulness  and  each  one  stood  ready  to  do  his  part. 

2  War  Diary,  First  Division. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

THE  REDUCTION  OF  THE  ST.  MIHIEL  SALIENT 

The  Salient. — When  the  German  invaders  retired  after 
the  first  battle  of  the  Marne  in  1914,  they  occupied  a  line  on 
the  western  front  which  offered  a  maximum  of  natural  strength 
(Map  VIII).  Nowhere  was  this  more  manifest  than  in  the  vital 
section  between  the  Meuse  and  the  Moselle  rivers.  A  range 
of  hills  known  as  the  Heights  of  the  Meuse  followed  the  Meuse 
River  to  the  south  of  St.  Mihiel.  It  then  swerved  to  the 
northeast  along  the  western  edge  of  the  great  Woevre  Plain. 
These  hills  commanded  vast  stretches  of  countr>^  and  afforded 
excellent  concealment  for  battery  positions.  The  Germans 
strengthened  the  forward  slopes  by  constructing  a  succession 
of  deep  trenches  mth  concrete  machine  gun  pill-boxes  at  short 
intervals.  Rows  of  wire  entanglements  extended  farther  to 
the  front.  In  the  reverse  slopes  of  the  hills  deep  galleries 
were  driven  which  afforded  safe  lodgings  for  the  supporting 
garrisons.  The  configiu'ation  of  these  hills  was  such  as  to 
form  a  deep  pocket  in  the  terrain  occupied  by  the  French. 
The  town  of  St.  Mihiel  and  the  great  hill,  upon  which  stood 
the  old  Roman  camp  and  the  modern  Fort  of  the  Roman  Camp, 
were  located  near  the  point  of  the  pocket  which  bore  the  name 
of  the  St.  Mihiel  SaUent. 

From  the  point  where  the  hiUs  joined  the  southern  boun- 
dary of  the  Woevre  Plain  to  the  Moselle  River,  the  line  passed 
over  a  succession  of  low,  marshy  places  and  lakes,  across  deep 
ravines  and  through  dense  forests.  Practically  this  entire 
distance  was  dominated  by  Mont  Sec,  which  stood  like  a  lone 
sentinel  behind  the  German  lines. 

The  St.  Mihiel  Salient  constituted  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent features  of  the  western  front.  Its  position  gave  the  enemy 
the  advantage  of  a  great  initial  gain  in  any  advance  by  this 
route  and  secured  to  him  the  use  of  the  Woevre  Plain  and  the 
easy  movement  of  troops  through  the  pass  running  westward 
from  Vigneulles  to  the  south  of  Verdun.    It  deprived  the  French 

(  152  ) 


THE  ST.   MIHIEL  SALIENT  153 

of  the  use  of  the  Paris-Nancy  railroad  and  constituted  a  con- 
stant menace.^  The  French  Army  had  made  very  strong 
assaults  upon  the  salient  and  both  sides  suffered  severe  losses, 
as  was  evidenced  by  the  large  cemeteries  near  Apremont  and 
at  St.  Mihiel.  The  Germans,  however,  held  all  their  positions, 
and  after  1915  the  saUent  witnessed  only  stabilized  warfare. 

The  Plan  of  Attack. — As  has  already  been  indicated,  the 
reduction  of  this  sahent  was  a  necessary  part  of  the  plan  early 
formed  by  General  Pershing  for  the  advance  of  the  American 
Army  toward  Metz  and  the  Briey  Basin.  The  German  offen- 
sives and  the  Allied  counter-offensive  in  July  had  delayed  the 
execution  of  his  campaign,  but  he  had  never  swerved  from  his 
purpose.  In  the  early  part  of  August  the  First  American 
Army  was  organized  under  the  immediate  command  of  the 
Commander-in-Chief,  and  orders  were  prepared  for  its  employ- 
ment against  the  St.  Mihiel  Salient.  Instead  of  a  general 
assault  along  the  entire  line,  the  daring  alternative  of  two 
attacks  was  adopted.  One  of  these  would  penetrate  the 
enemy's  Une  north  of  the  salient  and  progress  eastward,  while 
the  other  would  break  through  from  the  south  and  move  to 
the  north  and  northwest.  The  junction  of  the  two  forces 
would  cut  off  the  salient  and  straighten  the  hne. 

From  Les  Eparges  Hill,  at  which  the  northern  attack  was 
to  begin,  to  the  Moselle  River,  which  was  the  right  of  the 
southern  attack,  the  distance  around  the  nose  of  the  saUent 
was  about  forty  miles.  The  attack  from  the  north  was  to 
be  made  by  the  Fifth  American  Army  Corps  with  the  26th 
Division  on  its  right.  The  attack  from  the  south  was  to  be 
made  between  Mont  Sec  and  the  Moselle  River  by  the  First 
American  Army  Corps  on  the  right  and  the  Fourth  American 
Army  Corps  on  the  left.  The  First  Division  was  to  attack 
as  the  left  division  of  the  Fourth  Corps.  The  remainder  of 
the  line  between  the  First  Division  on  the  south  and  the  26th 
Division  on  the  north  was  held  by  the  2d  French  Colonial 
Corps,  wliich  was  to  follow  the  enemy  and  mop  up  the  salient 
when  it  was  cut  off  Ijy  the  junction  of  the  First  and  26th 
Divisions. - 

'■  Von  Hindenburg,  Out  of  My  Life. 
^  F.  O.  No.  9,  First  .\rniy,  1918. 


154  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

The  front  assigned  to  the  First  Division  extended  from 
Xivray  to  Seicheprey  and  the  zone  of  action  extended  over  a 
distance  of  about  twenty-five  hundred  meters.  It  is  thus 
evident  that  the  mission  of  the  First  Division  required  that  in 
its  Une  of  advance  it  should  not  only  overcome  the  enemy,  but 
that  it  should  move  with  the  left  flank  exposed  and  that  it 
should  piT)tect  not  only  its  own  left  flank  but  that  of  the 
southern  line  of  advance.^  In  its  forward  movement  its  flank 
would  be  commanded  by  Mont  Sec,  which  was  not  included  in 
its  zone  of  action,  but  stood  menacingly  on  its  left. 

The  First  Division's  Zone  of  Action  (Map  III).— The 
jumping-off  line  was  a  part  of  the  old  sector  which  the  Divi- 
sion had  occupied  from  January  18  to  April  1,  1918,  and  it 
was  thoroughly  known  to  the  officers  and  men  who  were  present 
at  that  time;  but  battle  losses  had  caused  many  changes  in 
the  personnel.  In  addition  to  the  successive  lines  of  trenches 
and  wire  that  had  existed  in  the  winter,  the  American  sector 
had  since  been  strengthened  by  much  new  construction  that 
extended  as  far  back  as  the  Beaumont-Rambucourt  Ridge. 

On  the  enemy's  side  there  were  several  lines  of  trenches 
and  wire,  and  it  was  known  that  the  woods  were  made  impas- 
sable by  recent  wire  construction.  The  Intelligence  reports 
showed  also  a  partially  constructed  new  line  with  two  rows 
of  wire  entanglement  extending  just  south  of  Nonsard  about 
eight  kilometers  behind  his  old  trenches.  In  front  of  this  new 
hne,  the  Madine  River  formed  a  difficult  obstruction  with  steep 
banks  and  considerable  depth.  The  position  was  reported  as 
being  strongly  held  and  supported  by  numerous  batteries. 
Indeed,  it  was  expected  that  the  hardest  fighting  would  take 
place  on  this  new  line,  which  was  beyond  the  range  of  the 
initial  position  of  the  American  guns. 

Between  the  American  and  German  lines  there  was  a 
small  creek  called  the  Rupt  de  Mad,  which  was  reported  as 
unfordable.  The  banks  were  steep,  and  on  the  German  side 
they  gave  excellent  command  for  machine  guns  and  observa- 
tion. At  about  the  middle  of  the  area,  between  the  first  and 
second  German  positions,  there  were  extensive  woods  with 

'  F.  O.  No.  39,  First  Division.     IMaps  with  F.  O.  No.  9,  First  Army,  1918. 


Upper:  Gth  Field  Artillery  taking  up  position  in  front  of  Mont  Sec,  France. 
Lower:   The  rear  elements  in  an  attack — supplies,  ammunition,  machine  guns,  food- 
all  moving  forward  in  the  St.  Mihiel  Salient,  France. 


156  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 

small  lakes.  To  tlie  iiortli  and  west  of  Nonsard,  which  was 
near  the  center  of  the  Division  zone  of  action,  there  was  a 
succession  of  narrow  forests. 

The  enemy  had  recently  ])laced  his  10th  Division,  which 
was  fresh  and  in  good  condition,  in  the  position  that  was  to 
be  attacked  by  the  First  Division.  The  day  after  the  assault, 
the  5th  Landwehr  Division  appeared  on  the  right  of  the  10th 
Division.* 

The  Preparation  for  the  Attack. — Previous  assaults  on 
the  old  fortified  lines  had  been  preceded  by  extensive  bom- 
bardments that  destroyed  the  wire  and  opened  the  way  for  the 
infantry.  This  attack  was  to  be  preceded  by  a  bombardment 
of  only  four  hours,  which  would  probably  not  seriously  injure 
the  enemy's  wire.  It  was  arranged,  therefore,  to  have  each 
platoon  of  infantry  in  the  front  wave  accompanied  by  three 
details  from  the  1st  Engineers.  One  detail  of  four  men  was 
equipped  and  specially  trained  for  cutting  the  enemy's  wire. 
Special  automatic  rifle  teams  were  placed  in  the  front  wave  to 
protect  the  wire  cutters.  Another  detail  carried  sections  of 
Bangalore  tubes  to  blow  lanes  in  the  wire  in  case  it  could  not 
be  cut,  and  a  third  detail  carried  sections  and  supports  for 
bridges  sufficient  to  span  the  Rupt  de  Mad.  One  company 
of  engineers  was  assigned  to  assist  the  tanks  in  their  advance 
by  cutting  wire,  preparing  trench  crossings  and  crossings  over 
the  Rupt  de  Mad  and  by  fire  where  necessary  against  the 
enemy.  The  remainder  of  the  1st  Engineers  was  assigned 
to  construct  a  bridge  over  the  Rupt  de  Mad  for  the  trains  as 
the  attack  progressed  and  to  prepare  bridges  and  fords  for 
the  artillery. 

The  attack  orders  gave  the  18th  Infantry  the  task  of 
protecting  the  exposed  left  flank.  To  accomplish  this,  the 
1st  and  2d  Battalions  were  placed  in  line  with  one  company  in 
support.  One  company  was  assigned  to  accompany  the  tanks. 
The  3d  BattaUon  was  in  the  Division  reserve.  It  was  contem- 
plated that,  as  the  attack  progressed,  the  entire  1st  Brigade 
would  be  utilized  in  covering  the  left  flank.  The  other  regi- 
ments were  then  arranged  in  the  order  from  left  to  right :   the 

*  Enemy  order  of  battle,  G.  H.  Q. 


THE  ST.   MIHIEL  SALIENT  157 

16th  Infantry,  the  28th  Infantry  and  the  26th  Infantry.  Each 
regiment  placed  one  battahon  in  the  assaulting  hne,  one  in 
support  and  one  in  reserve.  The  interior  third-line  battalions 
were  brigade  reserves  and  the  third-line  battalion  of  the  26th 
Infantry  was  in  the  Division  reserve.  The  companies  of  the 
2d  and  3d  Machine  Gun  Battalions  and  the  Regimental 
Machine  Gun  Companies  were  assigned  to  the  infantry  bat- 
talions in  the  order  given  for  their  employment  at  Soissons. 
The  arrangement  was,  therefore,  as  follows  from  left  to  right: 

18th  Infantry : 

2d  Battalion  and  Company  C,  2d  Machine  Gun  Battahon. 

1st  Battahon  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  18th  Infantry. 

3d  Battahon  and  Company  D,  2d  Machine  Gun  Battahon. 
Kith  Infantry: 

2d  Battahon  and  Company  A,  2d  Machine  Gun  Battahon. 

.3d  Battalion  and  Company  B,  2d  Machine  Gun  Battahon. 

1st  Battahon  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  IGth  Infantry. 
28th  Infantry: 

2d  Battahon  and  Company  C,  3d  Machine  Gun  Battahon. 

1st  Battahon  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  28th  Infantry. 

3d  Battahon  and  Company  D,  3d  Machine  Gun  Battahon. 
26th  Infantry: 

3d  Battahon  and  Company  A,  3d  Machine  Gun  Battahon. 

2d  Battahon  and  Company  B,  3d  Machine  Gun  Battahon. 

1st  Battahon  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  26th  Infantry. 

The  1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion  was  in  the  Division 
reserve.  The  7th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  of  the  3d  Division 
was  attached  to  the  1st  Brigade  for  use  in  protecting  the  left 
flank.  The  37-mm.  guns  and  the  Stokes  mortars  were  placed 
in  the  rear  of  the  leading  battalions.  Accompanying  guns  from 
the  6th  and  7th  Field  Artillery  were  ordered  to  follow  closely 
the  assault  battalions.  A  detachment  from  Company  A,  1st 
Gas  Regiment,  was  placed  near  the  jumping-off  line  to  assist 
in  establishing  a  smoke  screen  and  to  fire  thermite  in  front 
of  the  assault  battalions. 

The  artillery  of  the  First  Division  was  increased  by  the 
58th  Field  Artillery  Biigade  (less  one  Battalion  of  155-mm. 
howitzers),  the  76th  Field  Artillery  Regiment  of  the  3d  Divi- 
sion and  one  Battalion  of  8-inch  howitzers  of  the  43d  Coast 


158  HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 

Artillery  Corps.     The  First  Division,  therefore,  had  at  its 
disposition  the  following  guns: 

120       75-niin.  guns 
40     155-mm.  howitzers 
8     8-in.  howitzers* 

The  5th  Field  Artillery  placed  the  1st  Battalion  north- 
west of  Mandres,  the  2d  Battalion  in  Beaumont  and  the  3d 
BattaUon  north  of  Beaumont.  The  6th  and  7th  Field  Artillery 
and  the  76th  Field  Artillery  occupied  the  right  half  of  the 
sector  with  batteries  on  both  sides  of  the  Beaumont  Ridge. 
The  58th  Field  Ai'tillery  Brigade  occupied  the  left  half  of  the 
sector  with  batteries  as  far  forward  as  Bouconville  and  the 
vicinity  of  Rambucourt  and  the  Beaumont  Ridge.  The  Bat- 
talion of  the  43d  Coast  Artillery  Corps  was  posted  in  the  north- 
ern edge  of  the  Foret  de  la  Reine.^ 

A  battalion  of  49  American  tanks  from  the  1st  Tank 
Brigade  reported  to  the  Division.  Five  tanks  were  detailed 
to  move  with  the  infantry  to  the  Rupt  de  Mad  to  break  lanes 
in  the  wire  and  to  fire  on  enemy  machine  gims  known  to  be 
posted  on  the  opposite  bank.  The  tanks  remaining  were 
ordered  to  cross  the  stream  where  it  flowed  behind  the  French 
lines  and  move  along  the  north  bank  of  the  Rupt  de  Mad, 
where  they  would  form  a  line  and  advance  with  the  infantry 
to  break  the  enemy's  wire  and  suppress  machine  guns,  espe- 
cially in  the  edges  of  the  Joli  Bois,  the  Quart  de  Reserve  and 
the  Bois  de  Rat.  It  was  characteristic  of  the  superb  morale 
of  the  Tank  Corps  that  it  eagerly  proposed,  if  necessary,  to 
run  the  tanks  into  the  Rupt  de  Mad  to  form  bridges  for  the 
infantry,  even  at  the  sacrifice  of  the  lives  of  the  drivers. 
Happily,  such  a  desperate  recourse  was  not  required. 

Two  companies  of  the  51st  Pioneer  Infantry  were  attached 
to  the  Division  and  were  given  the  mission  of  repairing  roads 
over  the  devastated  area,  under  the  direction  of  the  1st 
Engineers. 

'  F.  O.  No.  -36,  First  Division,  1918. 

«  Artillery  plan,  First  Division,  September  11,  1918. 


THE  ST.   MIHIEL  SALIENT  159 

A  provisional  squadron  of  tlie  2d  Cavalry  was  held  in 
readiness  to  be  used  for  exploitation  should  the  situation 
warrant  sending  it  forward. 

The  8th  Aero  Squadron  and  the  9th  Balloon  Company 
were  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Division.^ 

Field  Hospitals  Nos.  3  and  12  were  established  at  Raule- 
court,  where  all  available  buildings  were  converted  into  wards 
for  the  large  numbers  of  wounded  that  were  expected.  All 
ambulance  companies  were  prepared  to  bring  the  wounded 
from  the  dressing  stations.  The  remaining  two  field  hospitals 
were  on  wheels  ready  to  move  forward  and  operate  in  advanced 
positions,  the  first  of  which  was  provisionally  planned  at 
Richecourt,  behind  the  enemy's  Une. 

The  Engineer  Train  was  loaded  with  bridge  materials 
and  intrenching  tools  ready  to  follow.  As  usual,  the  task  of 
the  1st  Ammunition  Train  was  enormous,  but  it  succeeded  in 
accumulating  all  the  ammunition  prescribed,  without  delay. 
The  difficulty  was  increased  by  the  burning  of  one  of  the  largest 
dumps  near  Royaumeix  by  the  enemy's  long-range  shell  fire, 
a  few  days  before  the  attack.  Twenty  per  cent  of  the  75- 
mm.  ammunition  was  smoke  shell  to  be  used  in  estabhshing  a 
smoke  screen  to  hide  the  infantry  from  the  enemy's  machine 
gunners. 

The  2d  Field  Signal  Battalion  was  confronted  not  onlj'^ 
by  the  problem  of  establishing  and  maintaining  communica- 
tion, but  by  the  even  more  discouraging  task  of  procuring  the 
necessary  materials.  The  campaigns  consumed  ^vire  beyond 
any  capacity  to  supply  it,  and  the  resourcefulness  of  the  fine 
personnel  of  the  signal  troops  was  taxed  to  the  utmost.  Among 
their  many  remarkable  achievements  will  be  remembered  the 
feat  of  converting  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  of  single  wire 
into  seventy-five  miles  of  twisted  pair  with  no  other  facilities 
than  a  crude  reel  and  hands  and  hearts  that  never  faltered 
until  success  was  gained.  Happily,  some  of  their  work  in  the 
old  sector  remained,  and  proved  most  serviceable.  When  the 
time  came,  they  were  ready  to  follow  the  infantry  mth  two 
axes  of  Uaison  and  to  assist  the  artillery  in  the  technical 
difficulties  that  confronted  them. 

'  F.  O.  No.  36,  First  Division,  1918. 


KiO  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST    DIMSIOIs 

Tlui  nwiiuiiidcr  of  Hk;  uiiiis  of  llic  Division  liiul  tli(>ir 
noriDul  missions  of  s(M'viiiji;  tin;  conuiuuid. 

In  order  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  gaining  any  knowledge 
of  the  presence  of  the  First  Division,  the  prehminary  arrange- 
ments were  made  behind  a  screen  of  the  89th  American  Divi- 
sion, which  was  ocPui)ying  a  wide  sector  on  the  front  to  be 
attacked.^  So  well  had  the  IntelUgence  Section  of  the  First 
Division  done  its  work  that  sketches  sho\ving  all  enemy 
trenches,  machine  gun  nests,  battery  positions  and  posts  of 
command  were  issued  to  include  platoon  commanders.  Daring 
reconnaissances  were  made  by  the  Intelligence  Officer  in  per- 
son, and  he  and  his  assistants  waded  the  Rupt  de  Mad  as  far 
as  possible  along  the  front  in  order  to  determine  its  depth. 

The  assault  was  prescribed  for  5:00  a.  m.,  September  12th, 
which  required  the  bombardment  for  destruction  to  begin  at 
1:00  A.M.  On  the  night  of  September  lOth-Uth  details  from 
the  1st  Engineers  cut  lines  in  the  successive  rows  of  American 
wire  to  permit  the  troops  to  pass  through  to  the  jumping-off 
line.  The  spaces  between  the  gaps  were  joined  ])y  white  tape 
to  guide  the  infantry  in  the  darkness.  Other  details  of  engi- 
neers dammed  the  overflow  from  the  lake  at  Bouconville  into 
the  Rupt  de  Mad  so  as  to  lower  the  water  in  the  stream  and 
facilitate  the  crossing.  On  the  afternoon  of  September  Uth 
Division  Headquarters  occujiied  its  battle  post  of  command 
at  Beaumont,  where  a  complete  communication  system  had 
been  installed  to  all  parts  of  the  line.'' 

Since  their  arrival  in  the  Foret  de  la  Reine  on  September 
8th,  the  troops  had  been  exposed  to  continuous  cold  rains,  and 
the  ground  was  deep  with  mud.  Here  they  perfected  their 
organization  and  completed  every  detail  of  their  equipment. 
In  addition  to  the  ordinary  battle  pack,  there  was  added,  to 
each  man,  one  clip  of  automatic  rifle  ammunition  and  two 
rifle  grenades,  in  order  that  there  should  be  no  shortage  in  these 
important  types  of  ammunition.  Gas  masks  were  tested  and 
fresh  cans  of  carbon  or  fresh  masks  were  issued  where  required. 
No  troops  could  have  been  more  completely  equipped  than 

8  F.  O.  No.  .35,  First  Division,  1918. 

'F.  O.  No.  36,  First  Division,  1918.    Report,  First  Division,  September  21,  1918. 


1  i        -^ 

yb.    y-     ^. 


LS^i5i:ir 


m.i  ■ 


1      I     11      «      a 
1  1    1     i«     ^ 


^1  jhh^^H^-^^^  4rr'''zT' 


ifftoWlif^ 


J 


i^-:s.''^.ai,-T.t: 


THE  ST.   MIHIEL   8ALIENT  161 

those  rcginuMits  us  ilicy  .'ifljusJcMl  I  heir  packs  ui  1h(>  (larkeniiiji; 
liours  of  S(!i)tetnl)er  11th  and  took  thc^ir  pla,ces  in  the  column 
to  begin  another  liistory-making  advance.  There  was  little 
noise  save  the  thudding  that  comes  from  masses  of  armed  men 
in  motion.  Commands  were  few  and  in  low^  tones.  All  faces 
were  serious  and  strongly  lined  b}^  the  resolution  and  the 
courage  that  they  reflected  of  the  dauntless  spirit  within. 
Commanding  officers  and  staff  officers  went  from  regiment  to 
regiment  and  saw  that  all  was  well.  A  cheery  word  to  some 
group  of  men  or  a  brief  leave-taking  with  some  old  friend 
marked  their  passage  through  the  forest  trails  and  roads.  In 
all  grades  and  services  the  First  Division  stood  united,  and, 
to  the  masses  of  men  in  the  great  human  machine,  was  added 
the  momentum  of  a  psychology  that  counted  lightly  the 
obstacles  in  the  vision  of  accomplishment  that  lay  lieyond. 
Never  did  there  fall  a  blacker  night  than  that  of  September  11  th. 
Again  the  elements  conspired  to  increase  the  hardships.  As  if 
to  prove  itself  a  harbinger  of  victory,  the  threatening  storm 
broke  with  torrents  of  drenching  rain  that  soaked  the  men  and 
increased  the  weight  of  their  burdens.  The  faithful  regimental 
guides  led  the  heads  of  their  columns  unerringly  to  the  gaps 
in  the  wire,  where  men  of  the  1st  Engineers  conducted  them 
through  the  zig-zag  passages  to  the  line  of  departure.  By  1 :  00 
o'clock  all  regiments  were  in  place  and  in  liaison  on  both 
flanks.  In  the  darkness  and  the  storm  the  gunners  stood 
waiting  for  the  instant  when  they  should  announce  to  the 
enemy  by  an  avalanche  of  steel  that  the  year-old  challenge 
of  those  angry  guns  of  St.  Mihiel  had  been  answered. 

The  Battle. — When  the  accurately  synchronized  watches 
ticked  the  second  of  1 :00  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  September 
12th,  the  darkness  was  turned  into  a  quivering  light  by  which 
one  might  see  to  read.  A  thundering  crash  that  shook  the 
earth  broke  the  stillness  and  a  whirlwind  of  bursting  shell 
spread  over  the  enemy's  positions.  Every  known  battery 
emplacement  was  deluged  with  gas  by  at  least  two  heavy  guns 
or  howitzers.  Every  previously  discovered  machine  gun  posi- 
tion received  the  undivided  attention  of  one  heavy  or  two  light 
guns.    His  trenches,  command  posts  and  billets  were  covered 


Ifi2  HISTORY   OP^   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

by  concentrations  of  liigh  explosive  shell.  The  very  earth 
seemed  to  belch  forth  the  flame  that  shimmered  over  all  that 
the  eye  could  see.  With  a  steadiness  that  was  api)alling  in  its 
volume,  the  convulsion  continued.  Above  the  crashing  roar 
could  be  heard  the  deeper  boom  of  the  great  railroad  gims  that 
were  sending  their  tons  of  steel  to  the  enemy's  back  area  and 
tearing  up  his  rest  camps  and  communications.  The  waiting 
infantry  was  exhilarated  by  the  great  drama,  and  all  along  the 
line  the  men  l)urst  into  cheers  and  song  like  children  on  a 
holiday.  Cries  of  "  Let's  go! "  came  spontaneously  from  eager 
men,  and  the  words  became  a  slogan  of  the  First  Division. 

At  5:00  o'clock  the  artillery  changed  the  form  of  its  fire. 
While  the  heavy  guns  continued  to  suppress  the  hostile 
batteries  and  machine  guns,  the  75's  formed  a  rolling  barrage 
that  moved  one  hundred  meters  every  four  minutes.  Smoke 
shells  thickened  the  haze  of  the  early  morning  and  hid  the 
troops  from  the  enemy's  lines.  The  infantry  rose  and  advanced 
in  perfect  formation  and  seemed  no  less  inexorable  than  its 
barrage.  Mont  Sec  was  the  special  target  of  the  8-inch  howit- 
zers and  one  battery  of  75's  firing  smoke  shell.  At  last  its 
baleful  eyes  were  efTcctuaUy  blinded.  With  the  falling  of  the 
barrage,  the  enemy's  line  became  illuminated  by  signal  rockets 
calling  on  his  artillery  for  help  that  it  could  no  longer  render. 
Overhead  the  American  aviators  watched  for  enemy  guns 
that  had  not  been  silenced  and  gave  information  as  to  their 
location.  The  hostile  artillery  reaction  was  far  less  than  had 
been  expected.  However,  a  number  of  his  shells  fell  in  the 
infantry  waves,  inflicting  casualties. 

The  first  objective  was  a  line  running  east  and  west  along 
the  southern  bank  of  the  Rupt  de  ^lad  to  Richecourt.  The 
assault  battalions  passed  their  own  wire,  generally  by  stepping 
over  or  walking  on  it,  and  reached  the  objective  line  at  5:30. 
Here  the  barrage  halted  for  twentj'  minutes  on  the  enemy's 
trenches  to  cover  the  crossing  of  the  stream.  In  some  spots 
it  was  found  to  be  fordable  and  the  men  plunged  into  the  water. 
Where  it  was  unfordable,  the  engineers  threw  across  their  pre- 
pared foot-bridges  with  no  appreciable  delay.  When  the 
barrage  advanced,  the  leading  waves  were  across  the  stream 


THE   ST.   MI  HI  EL   SALIENT  163 

and  following  it  closely.  The  troops  were  in  complete  forma- 
tion. By  this  time  a  number  of  casualties  had  reached  the 
dressing  stations  and  smaU  groups  of  prisoners  were  being  sent 
to  the  rear.  In  the  fulfilment  of  its  mission,  the  2d  Battalion, 
18th  Infantry,  wheeled  to  the  left  opposite  Le  Tombois  woods 
and  formed  a  buffer  against  any  hostile  movement  from  the 
direction  of  Mont  Sec. 

The  second  objective  was  an  arbitrary  line  passing  north 
of  the  enemy's  old  trench  system.  This  was  reached  on 
schedule  time  and  the  barrage  halted  again  to  allow  the  troops 
to  re-form  or  to  close  up  in  case  unexpected  delays  had  been 
encountered.  In  accordance  with  orders  of  the  First  Army, 
the  39th  French  Division  on  the  left  advanced  one  hour  after 
the  First  Division  attacked,  to  follow  up  the  movement.'" 

The  third  objective  was  an  east-and-west  line  passing 
through  the  northern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Rat.  The  advance 
from  the  second  objective  progressed  favorably  until  the  lead- 
ing troops  approached  the  southern  edge  of  the  Quart  de 
Reserve.  This  proved  to  be  the  enemy's  principal  line  of 
resistance.  His  machine  guns  and  artillery  were  well  emplaced 
and  the  woods  Avere  rendered  impassable  by  successive  rows 
of  new  wire  that  had  lately  been  nailed  to  the  trees.  Neverthe- 
less, the  lines  charged  and  the  tanks  moved  with  them,  ren- 
dering the  greatest  assistance.  The  hostile  machine  gunners 
and  cannoneers  who  resisted  were  killed  and  the  remainder 
made  prisoners.  Some  of  the  units  were  compelled  to  skirt 
the  woods  where  they  could  not  be  penetrated.  The  1st 
Battalion,  18th  Infantry,  wheeled  to  the  left  and  formed  along 
the  eastern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Gargantua  in  liaison  with  the 
2d  Battalion  on  its  left."  Thus,  the  left  flank  of  the  Division 
continued  to  be  secure.  The  remainder  of  the  troops  reached 
the  third  objective  with  the  barrage  between  9:30  and 
10:00  A.  M. 

The  light  artillery  advanced  by  echelons  to  positions  in 
front  of  the  jumping-off  line  and  was  ready  to  cover  the  fur- 
ther advance  of  the  infantry  at  11:00  a.  m.'-     By  this  time  all 

'"  Report,  First  Division,  September  21,  1918. 

"  War  Diary,  2d  Battalion,  ISth  Infantry. 

"  Artillery  Plan,  First  Division,  September  1 1,  1918.  War  Diary,  artillery  regiments. 


164  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

the  villages  to  the  north  and  northwest  were  in  flames,  showing 
that  the  enemy  was  carrying  out  the  well-known  orders  of 
the  German  High  Command.  The  engineers  at  once  began 
improving  the  road  and  building  a  new  one  for  the  artillery 
across  the  old  trench  system  and  the  adjoining  areas  which  had 
been  rendered  impassable  by  shell  holes. 

The  losses  had  been  far  less  than  expected  and  the  sanitary 
troops  promptly  evacuated  all  wounded  to  the  field  hospitals, 
from  which  they  were  dispatched  to  the  evacuation  hospitals. 

Just  before  reaching  the  third  objective,  orders  were 
received  from  the  Corps  to  continue  the  advance  to  the  first 
day's  objective  as  soon  as  the  Division  was  ready."  This 
objective  was  the  enemy's  partially  constructed  positions 
marked  by  the  towns  of  La  Marche  and  Nonsard.  For  the 
First  Division,  the  Une  was  prolonged  to  the  Bois  de  Gargantua. 
The  artillery  barrage  dropped  in  front  of  the  third  objective 
at  11:00  A.  M.  and  the  fines  resumed  the  advance.  The  sup- 
port battalions  passed  through  the  assault  battalions  and 
took  the  lead.  The  Madine  River  was  found  fordable,  but  the 
banks  were  so  precipitous  that  the  tanks  met  with  delay 
and  a  few  became  disabled  in  the  stream.  The  enemy's  wire 
was  crossed  bj'  stepping  through  it  and  the  objective  was 
reached  at  12:20  p.  m.  Here  the  troops  dug  in  and  organized 
in  depth  to  hold  their  gains.  During  the  progress  to  the  fourth 
objective  the  two  battalions  of  infantry  and  the  one  machine 
gun  battafion  in  Division  reserve  w^ere  advanced  to  positions 
to  meet  the  counter-attack  which  it  was  expected  that  the 
enemy  would  make  from  the  west  and  north.  The  jiro visional 
squadron  of  the  2d  Cavalry  was  also  i)ushed  forward  to  make  it 
immediately  available  for  exploitation. 

Upon  learning  that  the  attack  was  progressing  so  well,  the 
Corps  ordered  a  resumption  of  the  advance  to  the  first  phase 
of  the  second  day's  objective.  In  conformity  with  these 
instructions,  at  1 : 35  p.m.  the  provisional  squadron,  2d  Cavalry, 
was  ordered  to  advance  to  Nonsard  to  debouche  and  exploit 
toward  Vigneulles  and  Heudicourt  with  a  view  to  intercepting 
the  enemy.     The  scjuadron  passed  through  the  infantry  at 

"  Report,  First  Division,  September  21,  1018. 


THE  ST.   MIHIEL  SALIENT  165 

5:20  1'.  M.  uud  advanced  nlong  tlic  Nou.sard-Heudicourt  and 
Nonsard-Vigneulles  roads.  The  i-esistaiice  encountered  pre- 
vented progress  through  the  woods,  but  some  prisoners  were 
taken. 

In  the  meantime  it  was  necessary  to  advance  the  artillery 
to  cover  the  further  movement  of  the  infantry. ^^  The  75-mm. 
guns  were  in  position  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Bois  de  Rat  by 
5:30  P.M.,  in  spite  of  the  deep  mud  in  which  the  wheels  often 
bogged  to  the  hubs.  At  5:45  p.  m.  the  infantry  resumed  the 
advance  and  at  7:45  p.m.  the  Decauville  road  through  the 
Bois  de  VigneuUes  and  the  Bois  de  Nonsard  was  in  their 
possession.  Each  front  line  battalion  sent  one  company  for- 
ward, and  at  10:00  p.  m.  the  company  of  the  28th  Infantry 
was  astride  the  Vigneulles-St.  Benoit  road,  with  the  advance 
companies  of  the  26th  and  16th  Infantry  on  its  right  and  left, 
respectively.  Prisoners  were  taken  on  this  road  l^y  the  28th 
Infantry,  and,  from  the  moment  of  its  arrival,  all  escape  by 
that  ]-oute  was  cut  off.  The  left  flank  battalions  of  the  18th 
Infantry  moved  northward  to  the  Bois  de  la  Belle  Oziere  and 
prolonged  the  new  line.  Patrols  were  sent  in  the  direction  of 
Heudicourt.^'^ 

The  movement  of  the  troops  through  the  strange,  dense 
forests  in  the  darkness  was  a  feat  that  compares  favorably  with 
their  best  accomplishments.  Directions  could  only  be  kept 
by  the  compass  and  liaison  was  impossible  in  line  formation. 
The  different  elements  were  placed  in  column  in  single  file  and 
each  followed  its  leader  to  the  objective.  To  make  the  task 
more  confusing,  the  forests  were  found  filled  with  enemy  billets 
and  obstructions  that  required  constant  detours.  Along  the 
roads  and  trails  detachments  of  the  enemy  continued  to  resist 
with  rifle  fire  and  machine  guns  and  inflicted  casualties 
throughout  the  advance.  The  pursuit  of  the  enemy  was  so 
close  that  many  of  his  detachments  were  cut  off.  An  en  ire 
machine  gim  company,  including  one  officer  and  over  one 
hundred  men,  were  made  prisoners,  and  in  another  position 
eight  men  were  killed  and  more  than  one  hundred  officers  and 

'••  War  Diary,  artillery  regiments. 

15  Report,  First  Division,  September  21,  1918. 


Upper:  Machino  gunners  in  action  on  Hill  240,  near  Exermont,  France,  October  o,  191S. 
Lower:    Signal  troops  establishing  radio  and  phone  communications  at  Exermont, 
France. 


THE   ST.  MIHIEL   SALIENT  167 

men  were  captured.  The  enemy's  confusion  was  shown  by 
the  appearance  of  the  officers  and  enhsted  men  of  a  battalion 
staff  who  sought  within  the  American  Unes  the  rendezvous 
designated  for  the  battaUon. 

On  account  of  the  rapid  advance  and  the  exposed  position 
of  the  Division,  the  Corps  gave  it,  as  a  reserve,  two  battalions 
of  the  42d  Division,  which  were  ordered  to  be  in  the  vicinity 
of  La  Marche  by  4:00  a.  m.,  September  13th. 

The  38th  Infantry,  and  later  the  whole  of  the  6th  Brigade 
of  the  3d  Division,  were  also  ordered  during  the  night  of 
September  12th-13th  to  report  to  the  First  Division  as  a 
reserve.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  Brigade  near  Nonsard,  the 
elements  of  the  42d  Division  were  relieved.  At  3:15  a.  m., 
September  13th,  the  Division  resumed  the  advance  through 
the  dense  woods,  and,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  13th,  the 
line  of  the  Division  ran  from  the  Etang  de  VigneuUes  along  the 
VigneuUes-St.  Benoit  road  to  VigneuUes  and  thence  south 
along  the  western  edge  of  the  Bois  de  la  Belle  Oziere  to  the 
Etang  de  Champrez.  The  scout  platoon  of  the  28th  Infantry 
entered  Hattonville  at  6:20  a.m.,  September  13th,  and  cap- 
tured prisoners.  At  7:15  a.m.  it  reached  Hattonchatel  and 
met  elements  of  the  26th  Division  of  the  Fifth  Corps.  Con- 
tact with  the  26th  Division  was  made  later  in  VigneuUes. 
A  patrol  continued  through  Vieville  and  St.  Meurice,  entering 
the  latter  town  at  1:00  p.  m.  A  detachment  of  tanks  pushed 
forward  to  Jonville,  unsupported,  but  the  resistance  encoun- 
tered compelled  it  to  withdraw.  The  provisional  squadron, 
2d  Cavalry,  was  handled  aggressively  during  the  morning  of 
September  13th  and  pursued  the  enemy  to  the  north  and  east, 
gaining  much  valuable  information.^'' 

The  artillery  advanced  to  the  eastern  and  western  edges 
of  the  Bois  de  Nonsard  during  September  13th.  Division 
Headquarters  was  established  in  Nonsard  at  noon,  September 
13th.^'  During  the  morning  of  the  13th,  the  2d  French 
Colonial  Corps  moved  up  to  VigneuUes,  showing  that  the 
salient  had  been  swept  clear  of  the  enemy.    Hostile  artillery 

"  Report,  First  Division,  September  21,  1918. 
"  War  Diary,  artillery  regiments. 


1()8  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST    DIVISION 

hammered  the  towns. and  woods,  especially  Nonsard  and  the 
Bois  de  la  Belle  Oziere. 

During  the  operations  the  Division  advanced  fourteen 
kilometers  in  nineteen  hours.  Small  elements  advanced 
nineteen  kilometers  in  thirty-two  hours.  These  remarkable 
gains  were  made  over  a  country  which  was  dotted  with 
marshes,  traversed  by  small  but  difficult  streams,  cut  up  by 
dense  woods  and  organized  for  determined  resistance  with 
masses  of  wire  and  a  network  of  trenches  that  were  tlie  result 
of  four  years'  labor.  Throughout,  the  troops  maintained  per- 
fect formation,  and  all  resistance  was  overcome  with  a  rapidity 
and  dash  that  gave  proof  of  the  high  morale  that  prevailed. 
Burial  parties  followed  the  progress  of  the  battle  and  collected 
and  laid  to  rest,  with  fitting  ceremonies,  the  bodies  of  those 
brave  men  who  made  the  supreme  sacrifice.  All  the  wounded 
were  promptly  cared  for  and  rapidly  sent  to  the  evacuation 
hospitals. 

The  Division  captured  five  officers  and  eleven  hundred 
and  ninety  men,  thirty  field  guns  and  howitzers,  fifty  machine 
gims  and  large  quantities  of  ammunition,  small  arms,  stores 
and  equipment,  including  locomotives,  trucks,  wagons,  horses, 
forage  and  artillery  carriages.'^ 

The  losses  were: 

Killed  or  died  of  wounds 3  officers,    90  men 

Wounded 10  officers,  431  men 

Missing 5  men 

Prisoners 5  men 

Total 13  officers,  531  men'' 

On  September  13th  all  attached  units  from  other  com- 
mands were  relieved.  During  the  night,  in  accordance  with 
orders  from  the  Corps,  the  Division  was  pinched  out  by  other 
units.  On  September  14th  it  was  regrouped  in  reserve  in 
the  area,  Nonsard-Bois  de  la  Belle  Oziere-Etang  de  Pannes.^" 
At  the  same  time.  Division  Headquarters  moved  to  the  former 
German  rest  camj)  in  the  Bois  de  la  Belle  Oziere. 

"  Report,  First  Division,  September  21,  1918. 

"  Casualty  records,  First  Division. 

"F.  O.  No.  38,  First  Division.  1918.    Report,  First  Division,  September  21,  1918. 


THE  ST.  MIHIEL   SALIENT  159 

The  road  from  Beaumont  by  Seicheprey  and  St.  Baussant 
was  the  only  one  that  led  to  the  front  of  the  Division's  zone 
of  action  and  it  was  assigned  to  the  First  Division  for  its 
communications.  The  1st  Engineers  organized  to  repair  it 
and  to  throw  a  bridge  over  the  Rupt  de  Mad.  Shell  holes, 
trenches  and  masses  of  wire  had  already  made  it  impassable 
and  the  traffic  converted  it  into  a  veritable  slough.  The  trans- 
port of  the  neighboring  Division  began  to  enter  it  early  on 
September  12th,  and  before  noon  it  became  so  congested  that 
nothing  could  move.^'  Extra  military  police  and  all  available 
staff  officers  were  sent  to  help  the  engineers  in  opening  a  pas- 
sage, but  the  congested  conditions  were  not  relieved  until 
September  13th.  A  second  bridge  was  thrown  across  the 
stream  at  Richecourt.  The  trucks  carrying  the  materials  for 
this  bridge  were  disabled  by  hostile  artillery  fire  and  the 
engineers  accompanying  them  carried  the  timbers  on  their 
shoulders  for  five  himdred  meters  and  erected  the  bridge. 
The  1st  Supply  Train  reached  Nonsard  on  the  afternoon  of 
September  13th  and  the  kitchens  and  water-carts  arrived  at 
about  the  same  time.  As  soon  as  possible,  hot  food  was  pre- 
pared and  sent  to  the  lines.  During  the  night  of  September 
14th  the  enemj"  shelling  became  so  intense  that  Nonsard  was 
evacuated  by  the  supply  train.  Among  the  accomplishments 
of  the  1st  Engineers  was  the  discovery  and  removal  of  large 
mines  of  high  explosives  placed  under  the  road  north  of  St. 
Baussant,  but,  for  some  unknown  reason,  never  exploded  by 
the  enemy.  As  soon  as  the  infantry  was  on  its  objectives  on 
September  12th,  the  engineer  detachments  with  them  rejoined 
their  companies  and  assisted  in  constructing  the  roads  and 
bridges. 

It  was  a  novel  sight  that  was  presented  to  the  tired  men 
when  they  looked  around  them  on  the  morning  of  September 
14th.  The  extensive  woods  in  which  they  found  themselves 
had  been  converted  into  an  attractive  rest  camp  by  the  Ger- 
mans. There  were  liillets  and  recreation  rooms  and  the  most 
artistic  cottages  and  V)ungalows  elaborately  furnished  from 
the  homes  in  the  defenseless  villages.    Club-houses  for  officers 

2'  War  Diary,  7th  Field  Artillery. 


170  HISTORY    OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

and  men,  Avith  pianos  and  moving  picture  machines,  gave 
evidence  of  the  pleasure  that  was  afforded.  There  were  exten- 
sive and  well-fitted  stables,  and  forage  in  abundance  for  the 
officers'  chargers,  some  of  which  were  left  in  the  hasty  flight. 
Other  evidences  that  the  comfortably  housed  garrison  did  not 
expect  the  Americans  to  advance  so  rapidly  were  the  uniforms 
and  personal  effects  of  officers,  including  their  arms,  and 
freshly  cooked  food. 

The  neighboring  towns  of  Heudicourt,  Vigneulles,  Hatton- 
ville  and  Hattonchatel  were  still  burning,  and  so  thoroughly 
had  the  vandals  done  their  work  that  only  the  crumbUng  walls 
were  left  standing.  The  same  conditions  existed  in  the  other 
towns  of  the  salient. 

All  efforts  were  now  devoted  to  making  the  troops  com- 
fortable and  to  conditioning  the  horses.  Delousers  were 
installed  and  the  companies  went  in  turn  to  have  their  cloth- 
ing freed  from  vermin.  The  equipment  and  ammiuiition  lost 
or  expended  in  the  battle  were  replaced  and  the  Division  was 
rapidly  prepared  for  the  next  call,  whatever  it  might  be. 
The  weather  was  cold  and  rainy,  but  cheerfulness  prevailed, 
and  even  the  German  prisoners  enjoyed  playing  their  pianos 
for  their  kindly  captors. 

A  conference  was  held  at  Division  Headquarters  to  dis- 
cuss the  manner  in  which  the  advance  had  been  executed,  with 
a  view  to  profiting  by  the  experience  in  future  operations. 
General  Pershing  visited  the  command  and  congratulated  the 
Division  upon  its  performance.  When  Sunday  came,  the 
chaplains  conducted  impressive  services  in  the  beautiful  woods 
and  gave  thanks  for  the  victory.  With  the  passing  days  there 
grew  a  strong  sentiment  of  attachment  for  tliose  wonderful 
woods,  with  rest  and  luxurj^  the  like  of  which  liad  not  been 
seen  in  France.  Mails  were  delivered  and  man}-  letters  were 
written.  Excursions  were  made  to  Mont  Sec  and  Hatton- 
chatel, from  whose  heights  could  be  seen  the  panorama  of  the 
battlefield.  The  roar  of  guns  and  the  periodical  harassing 
shells  that  fell  even  in  this  new-found  resting  place  were  con- 
stant reminders  that  the  world  was  still  at  war  and  that 
destiny  still  held  a  part  for  the  First  Division.     The  advance 


THE   ST.  MIHIEL  SALIENT 


171 


at  St.  Mihiel,  with  its  sweeping  victory  and  small  losses,  fol- 
lowed by  those  days  of  happy  relaxation,  were  like  a  dispensa- 
tion of  Providence  to  fit  the  men  for  the  supreme  effort  that 
lay  before  them.  With  ripe  experience,  superb  morale  and 
hardened  bodies,  the  First  Division  was  at  the  height  of 
human  efficiency, 


CHAPTER  IX 

THE  MEUSE-ARGONNE  OFFENSIVE 

The  Theater  of  Operations. — Wliile  the  success  that  had 
been  achieved  at  the  second  battle  of  the  Marne  in  July  and 
at  St.  JMihiel  and  elsewhere  on  the  western  front  had  encour- 
aged the  Alhes,  experience  had  shown  that  unless  a  final  blow 
could  be  struck  the  Unes  would  stabilize  and  there  would  be 
another  winter  in  the  trenches  diu'ing  which  the  enemy  might 
recover  the  advantage  that  he  had  lost. 

The  German  Armies  on  the  western  front  were  largely 
dependent  for  supplies,  munitions  and  troop  movements  upon 
the  double-track  railway  that  ran  westward  from  Metz  by 
Sedan  and  Mezieres.  This  route  also  afforded  the  shortest 
line  of  retreat  to  German}'.  It  was  manifest  that  if  this 
artery  of  communication  could  be  severed,  the  enemy  would 
be  compelled  to  withdraw  to  a  new  line.  To  the  north  of 
the  Sedan-Mezieres  line  lay  the  precipitous  and  deeply  fur- 
rowed forest  of  the  Aixlennes  that  forbade  military  operations 
of  any  important  nature.  Should  the  communications  be 
cut  at  this  point,  the  enemy's  forces  would  be  separated  and 
those  to  the  west  would  be  restricted  to  a  comparatively  nar- 
row^ avenue  of  retreat.  The  nearest  part  of  the  Allied  line 
to  this  point  was  the  section  of  the  front  bet^^■een  the  Argonne 
Forest  and  the  Meuse  River.  The  enemy  realized  the  sensi- 
tiveness of  this  area  and  his  determination  to  hold  it  was  shown 
by  his  desperate  resistance  to  the  French  in  the  fighting  about 
Verdun  in  1915.'  Since  that  time  his  hold  on  the  strong 
position  that  he  occupied  had  been  imdisputed. 

The  strength  of  his  position  lay  not  alone  in  his  forces  and 
his  fortifications.  Nature  had  contrived  to  include  within 
the  zone  the  most  difficult  obstacles,  from  a  military  point  of 
view,  that  could  be  encountered.  The  terrain  was  naturalh* 
so  rugged  and  deeply  cut  by  ravines  that  it  was  fit  only  for 
wild  vegetation.    Over  this  surface  spread  the  great  Argonne 

'  Final  Report  Commander-in-Chief,  A.  E.  F. 

(172) 


THE   MEUSE-ARGONNE   OFFENSIVE  17.3 

Forest,  with  an  undergrowth  that  in  places  resembled  a  tropical 
jungle.  The  Meuse  River  was  a  formidable  barrier  to  military 
operations.  Between  the  forest  and  the  river  the  country  was 
cut  by  deep  ravines,  extensive  woods  and  a  succession  of  hills 
and  ridges  whose  wooded  crests  afforded  cover  for  machine 
guns  to  sweep  their  barren  slopes.  The  Aire  River  flow^ed 
along  the  north  and  east  of  the  Argonne  Forest  in  a  valley 
that  was  open  throughout  its  length. 

In  the  great  offensive  that  had  been  planned  by  the  Allied 
High  Command,  this  line  of  advance  was  allotted  to  the  First 
American  Army. 

The  Division  in  Reserve. — Without  waiting  for  the  blow 
at  St.  Mihiel,  the  Army  Staff  prepared  plans  for  this  new 
offensive  and  scarcely  had  the  last  shots  been  fired  in  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  salient  before  batteries  and  troops  began  moving 
to  the  new  theater  of  operations.-  Again,  night  marches  con- 
cealed the  concentration  from  the  enemy.  To  the  First  Divi- 
sion, resting  in  the  Bois  de  la  Belle  Oziere,  it  was  incompre- 
hensible that  it  was  not  to  take  its  place  in  the  front  line  at 
the  moment  of  the  initial  assault.  The  Division,  however, 
little  knew  how  clearly  the  Ai-my  Staff  had  foreseen  the  develop- 
ments of  the  coming  battle  and  how  wisely  it  had  disposed  the 
troops. 

At  last,  on  September  19th,  orders  were  received  trans- 
ferring the  Division  to  the  Third  Aj-my  Corps  and  placing  it 
in  Army  reserve.''  That  night,  French  truck  trains  met  the 
dismounted  troops  near  Raulecourt  and  transported  them  to 
the  vicinity  of  Benoite-Vaux,  where  they  arrived  before  dawn. 
During  the  preceding  week  the  1st  Engineers  had  repaired 
the  road  and  bridges  to  the  westward  from  Vigneulles,  and, 
simultaneously  with  the  departure  of  the  infantry,  the  mounted 
elements  proceeded  along  this  shorter  route  by  marching. 
For  three  nights  they  pursued  their  way  over  the  carefully 
apportioned  roads,  seeking  such  rest  as  was  possible  in  the 

2  Letter  of  Commander-in-Chief,  A.  E.  F.,  to  Gen.   Petain,  September  10,   lf)lS. 
Operations  Report,  First  Army,  .January  5,  1919. 

3  F.  O.  No.  39,  First  Division. 


174  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

woods  by  day.  On  September  21st  Division  Headtiuarters 
moved  to  Benoite-Vaux.^ 

The  Third  Corps  was  on  the  right  of  the  First  Army  with 
its  flank  on  the  Meuse.  It  was  tentatively  planned  that  if 
the  assault  progressed  favorably,  the  First  Division  should 
cross  to  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  in  the  vicinity  of  Verdun 
and  prolong  the  attack  of  the  Corps  to  the  eastward.^  Plans 
were  made  to  execute  such  a  mission.  Commanding  officers 
reconnoitered  the  bridges  and  routes  of  advance  and  the 
portion  of  the  front  assigned  to  them  for  the  assault.  Con- 
ferences were  held  in  Verdun  wath  the  French  Corps  and 
Division  Commanders  whose  troops  held  this  part  of  the  front. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  September  26th  the  roar  of  the 
preliminary  bombardment  reached  the  ears  of  the  men  of 
the  Division,  who,  for  the  first  time,  were  not  waiting  in  the 
front  line  trenches  to  follow  the  barrage.  All  day  the  battle 
raged  and  the  numerous  reports  told  of  the  i^rogress  of  the 
splendid  divisions  that  were  making  the  fight.  It  soon  became 
evident  that  the  German  troops  were  resisting  desperately 
and  that  the  advance  was  becoming  more  and  more  difficult, 
with  losses  that  were  mounting  into  large  figures.  If  the  attack 
was  to  continue,  fresh  divisions  must  be  thrown  in  and  the 
task  that  confronted  them  would  require  the  powers  of  veter- 
ans. All  thought  of  the  eastward  operation  vanished  and 
speculation  centered  on  where  the  First  Division  ^^'ould  be 
most  needed. 

In  the  meantime  the  men  were  exercised  in  battalion 
assault  problems,  in  marching  through  woods  and  at  night  by 
compass  bearings,  and  in  gun  squad  drills.  Inspections  were 
made  to  complete  the  equipment  and  the  prescribed  allowance 
of  ammunition. 

On  the  night  of  September  27th,  in  conformity  with  orders 
from  the  First  Army,  the  Division  proceeded,  by  marching, 
to  the  vicinity  of  Nixeville,  with  headquarters  at  Blercourt.'^ 
The  1st  Engineers  was  detached  and  was  assigned  to  repairing 
roads  over  the  old  no-man's-land  in  the  Third  Corps  sector. 

*  War  Diary,  First  Division. 

'  Verbal  orders  to  Division  Commander. 

•  F.  O.  No.  41.  First  Division.  1918. 


THE  MFATSE-ARCtONNE  OFFENSIVE  175 

This  long  night  march  proved  to  be  another  test  of  endurance 
and  fortitude.  For  t\\'elve  hours  the  infantrj'  plodded  along 
the  muddy  and  war-worn  roads,  the  larger  part  of  the  time 
in  a  downpour  of  rain.  The  feet  of  many  men  were  sore  and 
inflamed  from  living  in  the  mud  and  from  ill-fitting  shoes. 
The  pain  that  they  suffered  could  be  seen  in  their  set  faces, 
but  only  those  whose  condition  was  pitiable  would  succumb. 
It  was  touching  to  witness  the  devotion  of  these  officers  and 
men  and  to  realize  the  sense  of  consecration  that  animated 
them.  When  the  weary  march  ended,  they  found  themselves 
in  woods  rendered  boggy  by  old  bivouacs  or  horse-lines  and 
often  tangled  by  the  wire  of  the  rear  defenses. 

The  artillery  and  the  trains  were  compelled  to  follow  even 
more  difficult  roads  than  the  infantry.  Nothing  short  of  the 
most  patient  and  skilful  handUng  could  have  preserved  the 
strength  of  the  horses.  The  strain  upon  these  men  was,  if 
possible,  more  trying  than  that  upon  the  infantry,  for  not 
only  were  they  compelled  to  make  their  way  on  foot,  but,  at 
the  end  of  the  march,  their  remaining  strength  was  required 
to  care  for  the  horses  and  keep  their  guns  in  readiness  for  the 
missions  that  lay  before  them. 

During  the  temporary  halt,  some  of  the  officers  and  men, 
who  had  been  wounded  at  Soissons,  rejoined  their  old  com- 
mands, where  they  received  a  welcome  that  must  in  a  measure 
have  recompensed  them  for  their  sufferings.  In  one  case,  a 
battalion  greeted  its  old  commander  with  a  show  of  affectioK 
that  was  the  highest  tribute  to  his  leadership.  In  all  grades 
and  ranks  there  was  perfect,  mutual  confidence  and  loyalty. 
With  such  intense  human  forces,  unified  and  wisely  directed, 
it  is  doubtful  if  there  could  have  been  a  more  powerful  or 
reUable  fighting  machine  than  the  First  Division.  It  was  as 
though  destiny  had  shaped  its  development  for  the  supreme 
task  that  it  was  to  perform  on  that  field,  where  the  fate  of 
civilization  must  be  decided.  A  staff  officer,  passing  a  column 
on  the  march,  asked  the  men  what  Corps  the  Division  belonged 
to.  Instantly  the  reply  came  from  the  ranks,  "We  don't  belong 
to  any  Corps — we  go  to  the  Corps  that  needs  us  most." 
The  wisdom  of  this  prophecy  was  amply  verified  in  the  days 
that  followed. 


17*1  HISToliV    OK    THl';    FIHSI'    l)l\ISI()N 

On  Sei)(('ii)l)er  29t,li  l.lic  l)i\isi(»n  was  assifiiicd  to  tlip 
First  Corps  and  ordered  to  move  tiiat  night  to  tlie  xicinity 
of  Neuvilly.'  As  the  First  ( 'orps  was  on  the  left  of  the  Army, 
the  change  involved  a  mai'ch  at  night  across  the  rear  of  the 
larger  jjortion  of  the  Army  theater  of  operations.  All  foot 
troops  were  transported  in  French  trucks,  while  the  artillery 
and  trains  pressed  on  by  marching.  On  account  of  the  long 
columns  of  trucks  and  the  congestion  of  the  roads,  the  Division 
trucks,  which  were  ahvays  called  upon  to  transport  the 
rolling  kitchens  in  truck  movements,  could  not  arrive  with 
the  troops,  and  it  was  late  in  the  day  before  hot  food  could 
be  served.  This  march  of  the  Division  was  a  remarkable 
achievement.  The  roads  were  already  utilized  by  the  traffic 
of  the  troops  in  the  lines  and  by  the  supply  columns,  but  so 
skilfully  were  the  details  prepared  by  the  Division  staff  and 
so  faithfully  and  accurately  were  they  executed  by  the  troops, 
that  the  movement  was  accomplished  without  a  single  incident 
or  interruption. 

The  Division  Enters  the  Line. — The  First  Corps  now 
gave  orders  for  the  First  Di\'ision  to  relieve  the  35th  Division 
on  the  night  of  September  30th  (Map  IX).  The  relief  was 
to  be  completed  by  5:00  a.  m.,  October  1st.  Early  on  the 
morning  of  September  30th,  Division  Headquarters  reached 
the  command  post  of  the  35th  Division  at  Cheppy  and  the 
different  sections  of  the  staff  prepared  to  take  over  their 
duties.^  During  the  preceding  twenty-four  hours,  the  Ger- 
mans had  delivered  powerful  counter-attacks  on  this  sector 
and  the  35th  Division  had  been  reinforced  by  a  regiment  of 
the  82d  Division.  The  fighting  continued  with  severity,  and 
while  the  lines  and  roadways  were  heavily  shelled  by  the 
enemy,  the  American  batteries  along  the  line,  Varennes- 
Cheppy,  effectively  sustained  the  battle. 

The  positions  reported  to  be  occupied  by  the  35th  Division 
extended  from  Baulny  to  near  the  Apremont-fipinonville 
road,  one  kilometer  east  of  Chaudron  Farm,  thence  to  Eclis- 
fontaine  over  a  front  of  more  than  four  kilometers.    The  sector 


'  F.  O.  No.  30,  First  Division,  1918. 
'  War  Diary,  First  Division. 


Autumn — Argonne 


THE   MEUSE-ARGONNE   OFFENSIVE  177 

contained  thret':  ravines  extending  almost  parallel  to  the 
front.  The  forward  one  ran  from  Baidny  to  the  Apremont- 
Epinonville  road,  east  of  Chaudron  Farm,  and  contained  the 
reported  front  line  of  the  35th  Division.  The  second  extended 
from  Charpentry  to  Eclisfontaine  and  lay  about  eight  hundred 
meters  in  the  rear  of  the  first.  The  third  one  ran  by  Very  to 
Epinonville  and  was  about  one  thousand  meters  in  the  rear 
of  the  second.  The  areas  between  the  ravines  consisted  of 
open  plateaus.  It  was  at  once  decided  to  place  the  three  Unes 
of  the  Division  in  these  ravines,  thus  giving  them  a  maximum 
of  cover  and  protection  in  depth.  It  was  expected  that  the 
First  Division  would  attack  early  on  the  morning  of  October 
1st,  and  Division  Headquarters  therefore  issued  orders,  not 
only  for  the  relief  but  for  an  assault  at  dawn.  The  troops 
were  ordered  to  advance  on  the  afternoon  of  September  30thj_ 
so  as  to  reach  the  vicinity  of  Cheppy  toward  dark.^ 

[jThe  infantry  regiments  were  to  occupy  the  line  from  left 
to  right  in  the  following  order:  16th  Infantry,  18th  Infantry, 
28th  Infantry  and  26th  Infantry.  There  was  little  time  for 
reconnaissance.  The  6th  and  7th  Field  Artillery  were  assigned 
their  usual  places  in  support  of  the  1st  and  2d  Brigades, 
respectively,  and  the  5th  Field  Artillery  was  to  take  positions 
to  cover  the  entire  front.  The  troops  marched  in  columns  over 
their  assigned  routes  across  the  old  no-man's-land  and  the 
devastated  area  that  bordered  it.  Because  of  the  congestion 
and  the  condition  of  the  roads,  the  machine  gunners  were 
compelled  to  carry  the  guns  by  hand  for  more  than  sixteen 
kilometers  of  the  distance. 

(  But  for  their  familiarity  with  war  and  its  horrors,  the 
scene  on  that  day,  and  the  mud  and  the  gloom,  would  have 
been  disheartening  indeed.  Past  the  site  of  the  vanished  town 
of  Vauquois  and  the  hill  of  tragic  memory  which  bears  that 
name,  through  the  great  stretches  of  dead  tree  trunks  that 
once  were  verdant  forests  and  over  a  waste  of  land  where 
destruction  had  literally  sickened,  they  dragged  their  weary 
limbs,  struggling  to  keep  their  places  in  the  dense  ranks  under 
those  wet  burdens  that  were  inseparable  from  the  battle  pack. 

s  F.  O.  Nos.  43  and  44,  First  Division. 


178  HISTORY   OF   THK    FIHST   DIVISION 

Everywhere,  the  earth  was  marked  h>'  shell  lioles.  Acres  of 
tangled  wire  and  trenches,  rows  of  concrete  machine  gun  pill- 
boxes, elaborately  constructed  battery  positions,  now  strangely 
empty  and  silent,  tumbled  chevaux-de-frise  and  piles  of  aban- 
doned ammunition  of  friend  and  foe,  marked  the  receding 
tide  of  battle.  Roads  were  no  longer  discernible,  and  great 
craters,  in  which  a  small  house  might  stand,  sho'\\'ed  where 
the  enemy's  mines  had  done  faithfully  their  work  of  stopping 
the  traffic  for  days  where  detours  could  not  be  constructed 
across  the  marshy  places.  Bridges  were  gone  and  swarms  of 
pioneers  and  labor  troops  worked  with  a  maddening  delibera- 
tion to  open  the  way  for  the  miles  of  trucks  that  stood  loaded 
with  the  precious  supplies  for  the  front.  But  there  were 
sa,dder  things  than  these.  Wlierever  the  eye  rested,  there  were 
low  crosses  that  marked  the  last  resting  places  of  the  men  who 
died  for  their  country  on  either  side.  Many,  alas,  were  new 
and  crudely  bore  the  names  of  American  soldiers  who  a  few 
days  before  went  forward  as  the  ranks  of  the  First  Division 
were  now  doing.  Here  and  there  were  masses  of  swollen  car- 
casses of  horses  torn  beyond  description  by  shell — dumb  ser- 
vants whose  sacrifice  was  little  less  than  human — and  cease- 
lessly came  the  sullen  roar  of  guns,  growing  ever  louder  and 
louder  as  the  columns  drew  nearer  the  fate  that  awaited  them.  ] 

These  devoted  men  knew  what  battle  meant,  and  all 
realized  that  some  supreme  test  lay  ahead.  Their  faces  took 
on  the  grim  resolution  that  had  now  become  familiar,  and  their 
bearing  told  of  a  calm  courage  that  takes  little  count  of  danger 
and  death  with  those  who  follow  the  way  of  Duty,  Honor  and 
Country.  Veterans  of  Lorraine  and  Picardy,  of  Soissons  and 
St.  Mihiel,  proud  in  their  record  of  achievement,  strong  in 
their  faith  of  accomplishment  and  inspired  by  the  memory 
of  their  sacrifices  and  their  dead — these  were  the  First  Division. 
Wlien  a  passer-by  warned  of  the  grim  task  that  awaited  them, 
the  reply  was  flung  back  from  the  ranks,  "We  are  the  boys 
who  can  do  it."  If  only  our  people  might  understand  the 
spiritual  uplift  of  those  consecrated  souls,  never  again  would 
the  uniform,  that  should  be  inseparable  from  our  flag,  be 
treated  with  scorn  and  its  wearers  doomed  to  the  ostracism 


Upper:  ISth  Infantry  holed  in  on  side  of  Hill  240,  Exermont,  October  11,  1918. 
Lower:  Ohscrvation  post  on  Hill  240,  near  Exermont.  France,  October  7,  1918. 


180  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST  DIVISION 

that  was  so  cruelly  visited  upon  them  in  the  days  of  peace. 
War  is  indeed  a  holy  thing,  and  they  who  experience  its  purg- 
ing and  its  exaltation  exemplify  those  Divine  attributes  which 
the  Maker  gave  when  He  created  man  in  His  own  image. 
A  soldier  expressed  this  truth  when  he  said  to  his  chaplain, 
"In  battle  we  are  all  chaplains." 

True  to  the  schedule,  the  heads  of  the  columns  approached 
the  line  of  Cheppy-Varennes  in  the  fading  light  which  marked 
the  end  of  the  last  day  that  many  were  destined  ever  to  see. 
As  the  infantrv^  advanced,  the  regiments  deployed  in  the  three 
Unes  that  were  characteristic  of  the  battle  order  of  the  Divi- 
sion. Each  battalion  was  again  accompanied  by  the  machine 
gun  company  with  which  it  became  unalterably  mated  at 
Soissons,  and  they  were  arranged  in  the  following  order,  from 
front  to  rear: 

16th  Infantry: 

3d  Battalion  and  Company  B,  2d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

2d  Battalion  and  Company  A,  2d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

1st  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  16th  Infantry. 
18th  Infantry: 

3d  Battalion  and  Company  D,  2d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

2d  Battalion  and  Company  C,  2d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

1st  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  18th  Infantry. 
28th  Infantry: 

3d  Battalion  and  Company  D,  3d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

1st  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  28th  Infantry. 

2d  Battalion  and  Company  C,  3d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 
26th  Infantry: 

1st  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  26th  Infantry. 

2d  Battalion  and  Company  B,  3d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

3d  Battalion  and  Company  A,  3d  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

The  leading  battalions  advanced  until  they  met  the  fire 
from  the  enemy's  position  on  the  crest  of  the  forward  ravine, 
when  they  halted  in  their  deployed  formation  and  each  man 
dug  for  himself  the  characteristic  fox-hole  to  protect  him  from 
the  fragments  of  shell  that  were  sure  to  become  more  nvmierous 
when  the  enemy's  aviators  should  observe  them  the  following 
morning.  Similarly,  the  support  battalions  dug  in  along  the 
second  ravine,  and  the  reserve  battalions  along  the  third 
ravine. 


THK   MEUSE-ARGONNE   OFFENSIVE  181 

The  1st  Machine  CJiin  BattaUon  was  phioed  in  the  Division 
reserve.  The  remaining  troops  and  services  took  over  their 
usual  missions  for  battle. 

During  the  night  the  elements  of  the  82d  Division  and 
the  35th  Division,  except  the  60th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  and 
the  Sanitary  Train,  were  withdrawn  and  assembled. 

Toward  midnight  it  was  learned  that  the  assault  would 
be  deferred  and  the  troops  were  notified  accordingly.  At  4:00 
A.  M.,  October  1st,  the  command  of  the  sector  passed  to  the 
First  Division. 

The  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  forced  its  way  over  the 
miles  of  roadless  bog  and  reached  the  vicinity  of  Cheppy  during 
the  night  of  September  30th. '"  On  the  night  of  October  1st- 
2d,  the  regiments  took  up  their  positions.  The  batteries  of 
the  6th  Field  Artillery  were  skilfully  placed  east  of  Charpentry, 
where  they  were  screened  from  the  enemy's  view  from  the 
front  and  from  the  Argonne  Forest.  The  7th  Field  Ai'tillery 
occupied  a  favorable  position  southwest  of  Eclisfontaine. 
The  5th  Field  Artillery  placed  the  2d  BattaUon  near  Char- 
pentry and  the  1st  and  3d  Battalions  near  Very,  where  the 
ravines  afforded  suitable  cover. 

Field  Hospitals  Nos.  3  and  12  were  placed  at  Cheppy. 
Nos.  2  and  13  were  held  in  reserve.  Subsequently,  No.  13 
was  advanced  to  Charpentry  and  No.  2  functioned  in  Varennes, 
where  it  received  1500  patients  on  October  4th. 

All  Ambulance  Companies  supplied  litter  bearers  to  the 
troops  in  line,  operated  forward  dressing  stations  and  evacu- 
ated the  wounded.  Ambulance  Company  No.  2,  which  was 
horse-drawn,  was  located  at  Chaudron  Farm  and  was  able 
to  operate  farther  to  the  front  than  the  Motor  Companies. 

On  October  8th  the  hospitals  at  Cheppy  were  so  severely 
shelled  that  it  became  necessary  to  move  the  wounded  to 
Varennes. 

Sanitary  Service  Unit  No.  649,  at  its  own  request,  was 
attached  to  the  First  Division  and  rendered  most  able  assist- 
ance with  its  ambulances. 


i»  F.  O.  No.  45,  First  Division,  1918. 


182  HISTORY  OF   THE    FIRST    DIVISION 

On  the  night  of  October  2d  tlie  1st  Engineers,  after  a  long 
and  exhausting  marcli,  rejoined  the  Division  from  the  Third 
Corps  and  was  placed  in  reserve  one  kilometer  southeast  of 
V^ry.  On  the  same  night  the  60th  Field  Artillery  Brigade 
of  the  35tli  Division  was  relieved,  followed  by  the  Sanitary- 
Train  of  that  Division.  They  took  with  them  the  formal 
expression  of  the  appreciation  of  the  First  Division  for  their 
co-operation  and  assistance. 

Reconnoitering  patrols  were  promptly  pushed  forward 
and  developed  the  enemy's  position.  Chaudron  Farm  was 
strongly  held  by  him  and  machine  giui  posts  and  small  sup- 
porting groups  extended  along  the  entire  front,  following 
generally  the  Une  of  the  road  from  L'Esperance  to  Eclisfon- 
taine.  The  wooded  hill  of  Montrebeau,  in  front  of  the  1st 
Brigade,  was  held  by  the  German  5th  Guards  Division,  whose 
prisoners  stated  that  their  orders  were  to  organize  and  hold 
the  position  at  all  costs.  The  front  of  the  2d  Brigade  was  held 
by  the  52d  Division.  Both  were  fresh,  first-class  divisions. 
The  ground  had  already  been  the  scene  of  severe  and  prolonged 
fighting.  On  September  29th  elements  of  the  35th  Division 
had  reached  the  Exermont  ravine,  about  twelve  hundred 
meters  to  the  north,  and  had  been  compelled  to  ^nthdraw." 
The  enemy  was,  therefore,  encouraged  by  the  success  of  his 
counter-attack. 

The  morale  and  fortitude  of  the  Division  were  now  sub- 
jected to  a  crucial  test.  For  three  days  and  nights  the  men 
were  doomed  to  lie  in  their  fox-holes  while  the  enemy's  artillery 
mercilessly'  pounded  the  entire  area.  The  ravine  northeast  of 
Charpentry  was  constantly  drenched  with  mustard  gas.  The 
ground  was  already  so  impregnated  with  gas  that  almost  one 
entire  company  was  evacuated  from  the  fumes  arising  when 
the  fresh  earth  was  turned  up  in  digging  the  scanty  cover. 
Along  the  front  lines  there  was  constant  rifle  and  machine 
gun  activity  and  anyone  who  exposed  himself,  even  in  the 
reserve  area,  promptly'  drew  fire.  The  enemy's  batteries  in 
the  Argonne,  west  and  north  of  Apremont,  were  especially 
harassing   and   effective   in   their   enfilading   bombardment. 

"  Order  of  Battle  Maps,  G.  H.  Q. 


THE   MEUSE-ARGONNE   OFFENSIVE  183 

Aerial  activity  on  both  sides  was  pronounced  and  the  enemy's 
aviators  freely  used  their  machine  guns  against  the  troops  in 
their  exposed  positions.  At  night,  patrols  daringly  made  their 
way  until  stopped  and  prisoners  were  lost  and  taken.  The 
casualties  averaged  five  hundred  men  each  day.  In  the  mean- 
time the  artillery  was  making  adjustments  and  seeking  out  the 
enemy's  guns  and  trenches. 

Food  could  only  reach  the  lines  at  night,  and  no  one 
deserves  more  credit  than  the  faithful  cooks  and  mess  ser- 
geants who  made  their  way  over  the  shelled  roads  and  sought 
out  their  weary  and  nerve-racked  comrades,  with  their  loads 
of  food  and  water.  The  casualty  list  is  a  tribute  to  their 
courage  and  fidelity. 

The  Mission. — To  understand  the  mission  of  the  Division, 
it  is  necessary  to  consider  the  situation  along  the  front  of  the 
First  Army.  After  the  assault  of  September  26th,  the  Army 
had  advanced  with  daily  diminishing  gains  until  the  increasing 
resistance  of  the  enemy,  and  the  losses  and  the  exhaustion  of 
the  American  troops,  caused  the  front  to  stabilize,  virtually, 
on  September  29th.  Over  a  considerable  portion,  ground  was 
actually  lost  on  September  29th.  The  enemy's  main  line  of 
resistance  had  been  reached  and  he  was  rapidly  bringing  up 
his  reserves.  This  marked  the  end  of  the  first  thrust  of  the 
battle  and  it  might  well  have  marked  the  end  of  the  advance 
had  there  not  been  fresh  troops  able  to  renew  the  assault. 

On  the  left  the  line  extended  through  the  Argonne  by 
Binarville,  eastward.  It  then  ran  to  the  south  of  Apremont, 
where  it  made  a  sharp  turn  northward  to  that  point.  From 
there,  it  continued  eastward  by  Eclisfontaine  and  Nantillois 
and  northeastward  to  BrieuUcs  and  the  Meuse  River.  If  a 
deep  wedge  could  be  driven  into  the  enemy's  territory  along 
the  high  ground  east  of  the  Aire  Valley,  the  enemy  would  be 
forced  to  loosen  his  hold  on  the  Argonne  Forest  and  the  whole 
line  might  be  carried  forward.  To  drive  this  wedge  was  the 
mission  of  the  First  Division. 

The  Terrain. — The  ground  in  front  of  the  Division  con- 
sisted of  a  succession  of  hills  whose  densely  wooded  tops  and 
bare  glacis-like  slopes  offered  a  maximum  of  advantage  for  the 


184  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

defense.  The  most  prominent  of  these  were  the  Montrebeau, 
the  Montrefagne  (Hill  240),  and  the  great,  forbidding  ridge, 
Hill  272,  which  was  a  culminating  barrier  that  seemed  to  defy 
all  progress.  In  addition  to  extensively  wooded  areas,  there 
were  numerous  patches  of  trees  that  offered  admirable  facilities 
for  machine  gun  defenses.  The  deep  and  well-defined  Exer- 
mont  ravine  had  already  proved  its  value  to  the  enemy. 
Its  northern  edge  offered  excellent  cover  and  hostile  artillery 
in  the  Argonne  completely  enfiladed  its  open  valley.  Along 
the  western  edge  of  the  zone  of  action  of  the  Division  the 
bare  slopes  down  to  the  open  Aire  Valley  were  completely 
exposed  to  flank  fire  from  the  Argonne,  while  the  right  flank 
crossed  an  extremely  broken  terrain  with  large  wooded  areas  and 
high  hills  interspersed  to  the  eastward.  On  the  west  the  zone 
of  action  extended  to  the  foot  of  the  slope  down  to  the  Aire 
Valle}'  and  followed  the  Varennes-Fleville  road,  and  on  the 
east  it  was  bounded  by  a  line  running  from  Eclisfontaine 
through  the  Arietal  Farm,  making  a  front  of  four  kilometers. 
During  the  four  days  that  had  passed  since  the  hne  halted, 
the  enemy  had  greatly  strengthened  his  positions. 

The  Preparation. — The  First  American  Army  was  ordered 
to  renew  the  assault  at  5:30  a.  m.,  October  4th,  thus  commenc- 
mg  the  second  phase  of  the  battle.'^  The  following  troops  were 
attached  to  the  First  Division  for  the  attack: 

219th  Regiment  of  Field  Artillery  (French). 
3  companies,  1st  Brigade  of  Tanks  (American). 
3  troops  of  Cavalry  (American). 
Aerial  Observation  Squadron  No.  1  (American). 
Balloon  Company  No.  2  (American). 
Company  C,  1st  Gas  Regiment  (American).'' 

The  artillery,  therefore,  consisted  of  eightj^-four  75-mm. 
guns  and  twenty-four  155-mm.  howitzers,  or  a  total  of  one 
hundred  and  eight  guns.  There  was  to  be  no  prehminary 
bombardment,  but  the  barrage  was  to  stand  for  five  minutes 
to  allow  the  infantry  to  close  up  on  it. 

"  Operations  Report,  First  .\rmy,  January  .5,  11)11).  .Memorandum,  First  Division, 
October  3,  1918. 

'•■'  F.  O.  No.  47,  First  Division,  1918.  .\rtillery  Order.s,  Operation.s  No.  4,  October 
2,  1918. 


THE   MEUSE-ARGONNE   OFFENSIVE  185 

Immediately  upon  entering  the  sector,  the  2d  Field  Signal 
Battalion  had  established  a  complete  liaison  system,  which, 
like  that  of  the  artillery,  bore  the  strain  of  the  battle  and 
made  possible  the  missions  that  lay  before  the  troops. 

The  1st  Ammunition  Train  accumulated  the  artillery 
ammunition  for  the  authorized  three  days'  allowance  of  fire, 
besides  supplying  the  small-arms  ammunition  and  pyro- 
technics for  the  battle.  The  1st  Supply  Train  overcame  the 
difficulties  of  traffic  and  delivered  its  indispensable  loads  of 
food  and  forage.  All  staffs  and  services  functioned  smoothly 
and  orderly  and  showed  the  poise  and  confidence  of  highly 
developed  efficiency. 

On  the  night  of  October  2d  the  Corps  ordered  that 
strong  reconnoitering  patrols  be  sent  by  each  regiment  to 
penetrate  the  enemy's  screen  and  locate. his  lines,  as  it  was 
reported  by  the  French  that  the  enemy  had  withdrawn.  In 
accordance  with  this  order,  picked  detachments  went  forward 
during  the  night.  All  sustained  heavy  losses  and  some  sur- 
vivors were  not  rescued  until  the  Division  advanced  to  where 
they  were  holding  their  improvised  shelters.  No  more  gallant 
or  daring  episode  occurred  than  the  sacrifice  of  these  brave 
and  faithful  officers  and  soldiers. 

The  first  objective  was  a  line  passing  along  the  northern 
edge  of  the  Montrebeau.  Here,  the  barrage  was  to  stand  for 
thirty  minutes  to  smother  the  enemy  on  the  crests  of  the 
Exermont  ravine  and  to  permit  the  troops  to  re-form  after 
passing  through  the  woods.  The  second  objective  was  a  line 
running  along  the  base  of  the  northern  slope  of  the  Montre- 
fagne,  where  again  the  barrage  was  to  halt  for  thirty  minutes 
for  the  troops  to  re-form.  The  third,  and  the  day's  objective, 
was  a  fine  passing  just  north  of  Fleville,  where  the  barrage 
was  to  stand  for  twenty  minutes  and  cease.  It  was  expected 
that  the  right  brigade  would  advance  on  schedule,  but  the 
exposure  of  the  left  flank  to  enfilade  fire  from  the  Argonne 
might  readily  produce  disabhng  losses  and  cause  delay  to  the 
1st  Brigade.  In  order  to  prevent  exposure  in  the  open  Aire 
Valley,  the  left  flank  troops  were  ordered  to  keep  on  top  of  the 
high  ground  that  skirted  the  valley. 


186  HISTORY    OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

The  tanks  available  were  ordered  to  approach  as  near  as 
possible  before  "H"  hour,  but  on  account  of  their  noise  and 
the  absence  of  a  preliminary  bombardment  to  neutralize  it, 
they  were  expected  to  follow  and  join  the  line  after  the  troops 
had  jumped  off. 

The  exterior  third  line  battalions  were  designated  as  the 
Division  reserve  and  the  interior  third  line  battalions  as 
brigade  reserves.  Cheppy  remained  the  Division  and  the 
Artillery  Brigade  posts  of  command,  while  the  Headquarters 
of  the  1st  and  2d  Infantry  Brigades  were  at  Charpentry  and 
\^ery,  respectively.  All  elements  were  closely  united  by 
liaison  detachments  and  telephone  communications. 

As  a  result  of  patrol  activities  and  local  exploitation,  the 
enemy  had  been  driven  from  the  south  of  the  Eclisfontaine- 
L'Esperancc  road  and  some  ground  had  been  occupied  by  the 
2d  Brigade  north  of  that  road.  The  Division  orders  required, 
therefore,  that  the  barrage  should  conform  to  this  new  Une 
and  that  the  troops  should  advance  to  it  so  as  to  arrive  at 
"H"  hour.  The  Division  was  ordered  to  advance  without 
reference  to  the  Divisions  on  the  right  and  left,  and  each  regi- 
ment was  enjoined  to  force  its  way  alone,  if  necessary,  to  its 
objective." 

The  Battle.  First  Day,  October  4th.— At  5 :  25  a.  m.  ,  with- 
out any  preliminary  shots,  the  barrage  dropped  two  hundred 
meters  in  front  of  the  jumping-off  line,  along  the  road  from 
L'Esperance  to  Chaudron  Farm,  thence  northeasterly  to  the 
Bois  Communal  dc  Baulny.  After  standing  for  five  minutes 
it  advanced  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  meters  in  four  minutes. 
While  the  barrage  was  thin  and  lacking  in  depth,  due  to  the 
small  amount  of  artillery  available,  the  faithful  gunners  served 
their  pieces  at  a  maximum  speed  and  their  accuracy  left 
nothing  to  be  desired.  Two  accompanying  75-mm.  guns  went 
forward  with  each  assault  battalion,  but  the  horses  and  men 
were  soon  shot  down  and  accomphshed  little  more  than  to  add 
to  the  heroic  sacrifices  of  the  day.  The  howitzers  of  the  5th 
Field  Artillery  endeavored  to  suppress  known  enemy  batteries, 
but  the  regiment  was  far  from  being  sufficient  in  number  of 

»  F.  O.  No.  47,  First  Division,  1918. 


THK   MEUSE-ARf SONNE    OFFENSIVE  187 

guns  to  cover  the  enemy's  battery  positions  that  had  not  dis- 
closed themselves  during  the  previous  days. 

With  the  first  bursts  of  the  barrage  the  enemy's  macliine 
guns  and  rifles  in  carefully  concealed  pits  that  covered  the 
ground,  extending  beyond  the  Exermont  ravine,  filled  the  air 
with  bullets.  At  the  same  time,  his  heavy  concentration  of 
artillery  laid  down  a  counter-barrage  that  placed  a  wall  of 
bursting  shell  in  front  of  his  line.  Into  this  hell  of  death  and 
destruction  the  gallant  infantry  dashed  with  a  courage  and 
steadiness  that  could  not  have  been  surpassed.  The  enemy 
executed  to  the  letter  his  orders  to  hold  to  the  end.  In  a  few 
minutes  there  was  hand-to-hand  fighting  all  along  the  line. 
Bayonets  and  grenades  supplemented  bullets,  and  the  line 
swcjit  on.  If  anything  were  needed  to  kindle  the  lust  for 
enemy  blood,  it  was  found  in  the  bodies  of  the  American  sol- 
diers that  dotted  the  ground  over  which  the  attack  progressed. 
From  the  bandages  and  the  condition  of  the  corpses,  it  was 
evident  that  many  of  the  wounded  of  the  35th  Division  had 
been  left  by  the  enemy  to  die  where  they  fell.  Here  and 
there  were  the  unmistakable  bodies  of  the  brave  patrols  who, 
on  the  night  of  October  2d,  had  been  mowed  down  by  the 
enemy's  machine  guns.  All  the  while,  men  were  falling  and 
writhing  in  their  dying  agonies,  and  the  remnants  of  the  assault 
battalions  were  being  merged  into  a  rapidly  thinning  wave. 
The  machine  gun  fire  was  especially  intense  against  the 
1st  Brigade  from  the  Montrebeau,  where  successive  positions 
had  been  constructed  in  front  of  the  woods  and  within  the 
woods.  Upon  emerging  from  the  northern  edge  of  the  woods, 
the  enemy's  well-registered  artillery  fire  took  heavy  toll  of 
the  groups  that  had  passed  his  machine  gun  and  rifle  pits. 
Nevertheless,  the  1st  Brigade  reached  the  first  objective  at 
7:00  o'clock. 

Meantime,  the  2d  Brigade  was  developing  resistance  far 
beyond  that  which  had  been  expected.  From  woods,  crests 
and  valleys  came  showers  of  machine  gun  and  rifle  bullets, 
and,  across  the  open  front,  the  enemy's  77-mm.  batteries  fired 
from  their  well-selected  positions  north  of  the  Exermont  ravine. 
After  the  first  dash  there  was  no  sweeping  forward  of  lines. 


Upper:    First  Division  men  encamped  on   hillside  behind  luins  of  Cheppy,   France, 

October  1,  191S. 
Lower:  28th  Infantry  entering  Germany  at  Wormeldingen,  November  30,  191S. 


THE   MEUSE-ARGONNE   OFFENSIVE  189 

The  darkness  of  the  early  morning  and  the  fog  sei-ved  as  a 
screen  during  the  first  stages,  but  tliis  fortunate  cover  did  not 
last.  Individuals  and  small  groups  made  their  way  from 
cover  to  cover  through  the  patches  of  woods.  Nothing  but 
sheer  grit  and  resolution,  that  would  not  be  denied,  sustained 
these  heroic  souls.  Trenches  and  machine  gun  nests  were 
cleared  only  to  disclose  others  that  required  a  new  effort. 
Thus,  the  first  objective  was  not  reached  until  a  half-hour  after 
the  arrival  of  the  1st  Brigade.  In  front  of  this  line  lay  the 
Exermont  ravine  with  its  deeply  furrowed  slopes,  affording 
perfect  cover  for  the  defenders  and  a  well-defined  target  for  the 
hostile  artillery  counter-preparation. 

On  went  the  barrage  according  to  its  schedule.  Again  the 
1st  Brigade  moved  forward,  preserving  the  original  formation 
of  the  regiments.  The  16th  Infantry  on  the  left  was  receiving 
a  raking  fire  direct  into  its  flank,  from  the  Argonne  heights 
across  the  Aire  Valley.  The  Granges  Farm  was  occupied  and 
cleared  of  the  enemy's  snipers  and  machine  guns.  The  assault 
battalion  passed  on  across  the  Exermont  ravine  and  to  the 
heights  beyond,  which  marked  the  second  objective.  Continu- 
ing through  the  enemy's  shelters  and  trenches  at  this  point, 
the  leading  elements  entered  the  town  of  Fleville  and  cleared 
it.  Anticipating  the  heavy  bombardment  to  which  the  town 
was  later  subjected,  the  Division  had  directed  that  it  be  not 
occupied,  and  accordingly  the  assault  battalion  at  1 :00  p.m.  dug 
in  on  the  reverse  slope  south  of  the  town.  Of  the  twenty  officers 
and  eight  hundred  men  who  had  assaulted  with  the  3d  Battal- 
ion that  morning,  but  two  officers  and  two  hundred  and 
forty  men  remained.  They  now  became  the  target  for  the 
concentrated  fire  of  the  enemy's  artillery  from  the  front  and 
both  flanks.  The  nearest  friendly  troops  on  the  left  were  at 
least  two  kilometers  in  the  rear,  and  its  faithful  comrade,  the 
18th  Infantry  on  the  right,  was  pouring  out  its  blood  Uke 
water  on  the  fortified  Montrefagne. 

Each  man  dug  for  himself  a  hole  sufficient  to  cover  his 
body,  but  many  of  them  were  found  by  the  raining  shells, 
and  the  stream  of  wounded  that  flowed  to  the  rear  told  of  the 
desperate  plight  of  these  superb  fighting  men.    They,  how- 


190  HISTORY    UF   THE   FIHS'J'   DIVISION 

ever,  achieved  the  honor,  not  only  of  reaching  their  objective, 
but  of  being  the  only  unit  in  the  First  American  Army  that 
approached  its  final  position  on  that  terrible  day.  Orders 
were  at  once  given  for  the  1st  Engineers  to  send  forward  en- 
trenching tools  and  working  parties  to  organize  and  strengthen 
the  position  during  the  night.  The  support  battalion 
of  the  regiment  advanced  to  the  north  slope  of  the  Exermont 
ravine  and  dug  in.  The  1st  Battalion,  in  the  Division  reserve, 
moved  at  7:00  o'clock  to  the  east  of  Charpentry,  where  it 
waited  imj^atiently  for  orders,  Uttle  dreaming  of  the  brilliant 
part  that  it  was  destined  to  take. 

While  the  3d  Battalion  of  the  18th  Infantry  was  waiting 
at  the  jumping-off  line  for  "H"  hour,  the  2d  Battalion,  mov- 
ing through  the  darkness  and  fog,  in  support,  closed  on  the 
3d  Battalion  at  Chaudron  Farm  and  assaulted  in  line  with  it. 
Scarcely  had  these  two  battalions  advanced  from  the  position 
of  the  first  objective  than  they  became  the  target  of  enemy 
batteries  and  machine  guns,  placed  so  as  to  converge  upon  the 
open  slope  that  led  down  to  the  Exermont  ravine.  In  order 
to  secure  such  cover  as  existed  in  the  natin-al  furrows  and 
watercourses,  the  assaulting  line  found  itself  fighting  in  small 
groups  against  machine  gun  positions  that  covered  the  oppo- 
site crest.  When  the  first  wave  entered  Exermont  it  was  sub- 
jected to  close-range  flank  fire  from  the  cover  of  the  shoulder 
of  the  ridge  that  extended  to  the  ravine  from  the  Montre- 
fagne.  The  ravine  here  was  raked  by  hostile  artillery  in  the 
Argonne  and  there  was  desperate  fighting  at  every  turn.  It  was 
at  this  point  that  these  same  hostile  divisions  had  beaten  back 
the  35th  Division, and  they  had  prepared  to  resist  to  the  last 
any  effort  to  retake  this  natural  barrier.  In  spite  of  their 
exhaustion  and  their  heavy  losses,  the  remnants  of  the  assault 
battalions  began  the  steep  ascent  of  the  l-)ald  shoulder  that 
rises  from  the  ravine  to  the  Montrefagne.  Every  foot  of  the 
way  they  advanced  in  the  face  of  a  withering  fire  with  no 
cover  from  which  tluy  could  repl}-.  The  bodies  that  were 
scattered  over  this  fatal  spot  were  mute  evidences  of  a  will 
that  nothing  but  death  could  stop.  By  the  time  that  the  foot 
of  the  Montrefagne  was  reached,  onlj'  remnants  of  the  com- 


THE   MEUSE-ARGONNK   OFFENSIVE  191 

panies  remained.  Rome  of  them  pressed  on  and,  penetrating 
the  dense  scrub  growth  on  the  steep  southern  slope,  reached 
the  top  of  the  hill.  Here  they  were  deluged  by  the  enemy's 
concentrated  artillery  fire,  while,  from  the  right,  enemy  troops 
advanced  to  a  counter-attack.  Unable  to  hold  out,  the  detach- 
ments took  up  a  better  position  at  the  southern  base  of  the 
hill.  In  the  meantime,  the  line  of  the  regiment  was  extended 
on  the  left  to  the  16th  Infantry  and  on  the  right  to  the  2d 
Brigade,  in  a  northwest  and  southeast  direction.  The  two 
battalions  were  re-formed  and  dug  in  along  the  intervening 
slope,  between  the  northern  crest  of  the  Exermont  ravine 
and  the  Montrefagne,  with  the  3d  Battalion  in  front.  The 
1st  Battalion,  in  Brigade  reserve,  moved  to  the  northern  slope 
of  the  Montrebeau  and  sent  two  companies  to  a  position  north 
of  the  Exermont  ravine,  on  the  left  of  the  regimental  zone, 
to  be  in  close  support  in  case  of  a  counter-attack.''' 

In  their  previously  formed  determination  to  press  on 
independently,  where  possible,  the  fighting  after  passing  the 
first  objective  was  largely  by  regiments,  each  using  the  artillery 
in  liaison  with  it,  to  help  overcome  the  resistance  that  devel- 
oped. Upon  emerging  from  the  slight  cover  offered  near  the 
first  objective  line,  the  28th  Infantry  came  under  the  direct 
fire  of  a  battery  of  77-mm.  guns  on  the  north  bank  of  the 
Exermont  ravine.  The  slopes  also  were  studded  with  machine 
guns  and  intense  fire  came  from  an  entrenched,  wire-protected 
position  at  La  Neuville-le-Comte  Farm.  In  face  of  this  mur- 
derous fire  the  3d  Battalion  swept  across  the  open  slopes  into 
and  beyond  the  ravine,  and,  after  a  painful  climb  up  the 
northern  slope,  it  captured  the  battery  and  occupied  the  line, 
Beauregard  Farm -La  Neuville-le-Comte  Farm.  Here  the 
men  dug  in  and  established  liaison  with  the  18th  Infantry  on 
the  left  and  ultimately  with  the  26th  Infantry  on  the  right. 
The  support  battalion  dug  in  near  the  first  objective  and  the 
2d  Battalion,  in  brigade  reserve,  halted  near  the  line  of 
departure."' 

I  From  the  beginning,  the  26th  Infantry  was  exposed  to 
fire,  not  only  from  the  front,  but  from  a  succession  of, woods 

'*  War  Diary,  1st  Battalion,  18th  Infantry. 
16  War  Diary,  2Sth  Infantry. 


192  HISTORY   OF   THE    FIRST   DIVISION 

and  dominating  hills  on  the  right  flank,  outside  of  its  zone  of 
action.  Upon  reaching  the  first  objective,  the  1st  Battalion 
had  suffered  so  severely  that  the  2d  Battalion  was  passed 
through  it  and  continued  the  assault.  In  order  to  progress, 
it  was  necessary  to  extend  the  front  of  the  regiment  to  the 
right  so  as  to  drive  the  enemy  from  commanding  points.  An 
especially  deadly  fire  came  from  the  position  of  La  Neuvillc- 
le-Comte  Farm  and  the  woods  one  kilometer  to  the  east, 
across  the  continuation  of  the  Exermont  ravine.  While  the 
zone  of  action  of  the  regiment  was  completely  exposed,  the 
enemy  was  well  protected  and  screened  by  the  natural  fea- 
tures. Both  the  assault  and  the  support  battalions  were  sub- 
jected to  the  galling  fire  from  the  right  flank.  Only  the  most 
skilful  leadership  in  all  grades  and  the  most  indomitable 
resolution  and  courage  on  the  part  of  the  troops  could  have 
sustained  the  staggering  lines  and  conquered  the  ground  before 
them.J  Happily,  the  28th  Infantry  had  been  able  to  occupy 
La  Neuville-le-Comte  Farm  and  thus  relieve  the  pressure  from 
that  direction,  but  the  wooded  position  to  the  east  held  out 
until  it  was  carried  by  repeated  assaults.  In  this  prolonged 
struggle  both  the  1st  and  2d  Battalions  became  involved, 
and  at  the  end  of  the  operation  they  were  occupying  the  same 
ground.  With  the  right  flank  extended  and  refused,  the 
advance  line  of  the  regiment  dug  in  on  the  high  ground  from 
La  Neuville-le-Comte  Farm  to  the  western  edge  of  the  woods 
whose  capture  had  been  one  of  the  most  honorable  exploits 
of  the  day. 

As  soon  as  it  was  found  that  the  infantry  could  not  follow 
the  barrage,  the  artillery  fire  passed  under  the  control  of  the 
regimental  and  brigade  commanders.  This  was  made  effective 
by  the  superior  liaison  that  had  been  developed  between  the 
infantry  and  the  artillery  in  the  Division.  The  artillery  felt 
that  it  existed  only  to  serve  and  save  the  infantry,  and  the 
artillery  liaison  officers  were  as  devoted  to  their  infantry 
regiments  as  they  were  to  their  own  arm.  In  turn,  the  infantry 
trusted  their  artillery  and  were  proud  of  it,  and  infantry  com- 
manding officers  understood  the  value  of  artillery  fire  and  the 
tactical  methods  of  employing  it.    At  8:00  a.m.  the  regiments 


THE   MEUSE-ARGONNE   OFFENSIVE  193 

of  75-mm.  guns  began  moving  by  echelons  to  previously 
selected  positions  north  of  the  jumping-off  line,  in  order  to 
support  the  infantry  closely.^'  Telephone  Unes  to  the  infantry 
were  maintained  by  liaison  groups  from  the  artillery.  Scarcely 
had  the  advance  echelons  arrived  than  orders  came  from  the 
infantry  for  special  fire  to  suppress  the  hostile  machine  guns. 
At  that  hour  the  fog  was  still  too  dense  for  observation  and 
the  batteries  fired  with  great  accuracy  and  effect,  at  ranges 
as  short  as  twelve  hundred  meters,  by  the  use  of  their  maps. 
The  infantry  constantly  reported  that  the  fire  accom- 
plished the  desired  results.  In  their  intense  enthusiasm,  some 
of  the  batteries  fired  at  a  rate  of  ten  shots  per  minute  until  the 
heated  guns  warned  of  their  danger.  As  soon  as  the  fog  lifted, 
the  enemy  observers  discovered  the  artillery  positions  and 
throughout  the  remainder  of  the  day  they  were  shelled  from 
in  front  and  from  the  Argonne.  There  was  no  alternative  for 
the  gun  squads  but  to  stand  in  the  open  and  fulfil  their  mis- 
sions. They  sprang  to  their  tasks  and  bore  their  losses  with 
the  same  high  courage  that  was  so  abundantly  shown  by  their 
comrades  of  the  infantry.  The  skill  with  which  the  infantry 
brigade  and  regimental  commanders  employed  their  artillery, 
and  the  full  response  of  the  latter  to  every  task,  were  a  realiza- 
tion of  the  training  and  the  comradeship  that  had  constantly 
been  the  aim  of  the  two  arms  in  the  First  Division.  All 
through  the  day,  the  howitzers  of  the  5th  Field  Artillery  were 
ceaselessly  pounding  enemy  batteries  reported  to  them  and 
suppressing  such  hostile  machine  gun  positions  as  were  most 
dangerous  to  the  infantry. 

At  no  time  were  machine  gun  companies  handled  more 
aggressively  and  skilfully  than  here.  While  the  infantry  lines 
were  making  their  costly  progress,  the  enemy  was  sustaining 
his  share  of  losses,  as  was  subsequently  learned,  from  the  rain 
of  bullets  and  shell  delivered  by  the  supporting  machine  guns 
and  artillery.  In  accordance  with  brigade  orders,  the  3d 
Machine  Gun  Battalion  (less  Companies  B  and  D)  was  em- 
ployed as  a  tactical  unit,  and,  after  reaching  the  Exermont 
ravine,  it  was  used  for  barrage  fire  and  against  targets  that 

"  Artillery  Orders.    Operations  No.  4,  October  2,  1918. 


UM  HISTORY   OF   THE    FH^ST    DIVISION 

were  discovered.  The  1st  Machine  Gun  Battahon  was 
attached  to  the  2d  Brigade  and  operated  witli  tiie  3d  Machine 
Gun  Battalion.  Groups  of  the  1st,  2d  and  3d  Machine  Gun 
Battalions  laid  down  barrage  fire  with  signal  success.  Twenty- 
four  guns  of  the  3d  ]\Iachinc  Gun  Battalion  delivered  indirect 
fire  ujion  what  appeared  to  be  a  German  battalion  of  infantry, 
which  was  forced  to  retreat. 

The  Chemical  Warfare  Company  had  aided  powerfully 
at  the  initial  assault,  but  the  casualties  soon  became  disabling 
for  so  small  a  unit. 

Of  all  who  bore  themselves  so  faithfully  on  this  terrible  day, 
the  Tank  Corps  deserves  a  special  tribute  of  gratitude  and 
praise.  It  so  happened  that  the  officers  and  men  who  handled 
the  units  assigned  to  the  Division  had  fought  \\ith  the  regi- 
ments at  St.  Mihiel,  and  already  there  existed  a  bond  of 
comradeship  that  inspired  mutual  confidence  and  admiration. 
The  group  included  forty-seven  serviceable  tanks  which  were 
distributed  along  the  entire  Division  front  for  the  assault. 
The  1st  Brigade  was  accompanied  by  Company  C,  344th 
Battalion,  with  sixteen  tanks;  Companies  B  and  C,  345th 
BattaUon,  with  sixteen  tanks,  accompanied  the  2d  Brigade; 
and  Company  A,  344th  Battalion,  with  fifteen  tanks,  was  in 
reserve  along  the  axis  of  the  zone.  Bravelj^  the}'  were  moved 
up  to  the  lines,  and  their  fire  was  used  to  suppress  the  deadly 
machine  gun  positions.  Five  of  them  reached  the  stream  in 
the  Exermont  ravine,  where  they  were  destroyed  by  direct 
hits.  Only  three  remained  at  the  end  of  the  day,  and  the 
casualties  amounted  to  eighty-four  per  cent  of  the  personnel. 

The  Air  Service  operated  to  the  limit  of  its  powers,  but 
the  enemy's  aviators  were  daring  and  aggressive  and  could 
not  be  driven  from  the  field. 

Again  the  ambulance  companies  and  field  hospitals  were 
taxed  to  their  utmost.  By  extraordinary  aggressiveness  and 
devotion,  the  ambulances  were  able  to  deliver  the  wounded 
to  the  Division  hospitals,  through  which  also  many  of  the 
wounded  of  neighboring  divisions  passed. 

The  ammunition  and  supply  trains,  as  usual,  brought 
forward  the  much-needed  ammunition  and  food,  of  which 
there  was  at  no  time  any  deficiency. 


THE   MEUSE-ARGONNE   OFFENSIVE  195 

The  cavalry  remained  in  reserve,  as  there  was  no  oppor- 
tunity for  its  employment. 

As  a  result  of  the  day's  fighting,  the  16th  Infantry,  on  the 
left,  had  advanced  more  than  four  kilometers  and  the  2d 
Brigade  two  kilometers.  The  gap  between  these  extremes  was 
filled  by  the  18th  Infantry,  which  faced  northeast  with  its 
center  clinging  to  the  difficult  and  strongly-held  Montre- 
fagne.  In  general,  the  situation  was  similar  to  that  which 
existed  at  the  end  of  the  first  day  at  Soissons,  and  it  again 
demonstrated  the  superiority  of  the  attack  formation,  which 
insured  the  progress  of  some  part  of  the  line  and  enabled  each 
echelon  to  assist  the  neighboring  ones  in  their  forward  move- 
ment. Thus,  the  16th  Infantry  had  carried  with  it  the  left 
flank  of  the  18th  Infantry.  |The  capture  of  Exermont  by  the 
18th  Infantry  facilitated  the  progress  of  the  28th  Infantry, 
and  the  occupancy  by  the  28th  Infantry  of  La  Neuville-le- 
Comte  Farm  helped  the  26th  Infantry  to  reach  the  line  in  spite 
of  the  terrific  flank  fire  to  which  it  was  exposed. ^^  ( 

The  battalions  in  the  different  echelons  were  properly 
formed  in  depth  and  there  was  no  confusion  or  disorganization. 
While  the  entire  objectives  had  not  been  taken,  the  enemy  had 
been  dislocated  and  his  best  troops  had  been  outfought.  Two 
additional  enemy  divisions  were  identified  among  the  pris- 
oners, showing  the  arrival  of  his  reinforcements. 

During  the  afternoon  and  night  the  infantry  and  the 
artillery  were  subjected  to  constant  shelling,  and  the  battery 
positions  and  valleys  suffered  especially  from  gas.  At  dark, 
the  1st  Engineer  Train,  with  tools  and  pioneers,  proceeded  to 
the  critical  projection  occupied  by  the  16th  Infantry  and  helped 
to  dig  trenches  and  construct  protection  for  the  brave  defend- 
ers during  the  further  ordeal  through  which  they  were  destined 
to  pass. 

Second  Day,  October  5th. — The  attack  orders  for  Octo- 
ber 5th  prescribed  two  phases.  The  object  of  the  first  phase 
was  to  bring  the  2d  Brigade  and  the  18th  Infantry  on  line 
with  the  16th  Infantry,  and  the  object  of  the  second  phase  was 
to  advance  the  entire  Division  to  a  line  passing  one  kilometer 

18  War  Diary,  First  Division. 


196  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

north  of  Flevillo  to  the  Cote  de  Maldah.  For  the  first  phase, 
two  objectives  were  prescribed.  One  was  a  line  from  the  crest 
of  the  Montrefagne  to  the  northern  edge  of  the  wood  nortli  of 
Hill  212.  The  other  was  a  line  from  the  16th  Infantry  to  the 
base  of  the  northern  slope  of  Hill  272.  On  the  right,  the 
advance  from  the  first  to  the  second  objective  involved  the 
capture  of  the  enemy's  organized  position  in  the  western  edge 
of  the  Bois  de  Money,  and  the  26th  Infantry  was  given  this 
additional  mission.  For  the  operation,  the  3d  BattaHon,  26th 
Infantry,  in  the  Division  resei-ve,  was  returned  to  the  regi- 
mental commander.  The  heaviest  fighting  was  expected  in 
the  advance  to  the  second  objective,  and  the  Division  order 
required  that  the  battalions  of  the  2d  Brigade,  that  had  been 
in  the  Division  reserve  and  in  brigade  reserve,  should  become 
assault  battalions  upon  jumping  off  from  the  first  objective. 
A  halt  of  two  hours  was  prescribed  at  the  first  and  second 
objectives,  during  which  the  (artillery  should  fire  heavy  con- 
centrations over  the  ground  in  the  entire  front  and  to  the  right 
of  the  26th  Infantry.  ]  Each  advance  was  to  be  covered  by  a 
rolling  barrage,  moving  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  meters  in 
four  minutes.  All  a\'ailable  tanks  were  ordered  to  accompany 
the  2d  Brigade.  The  1st  Battalion,  16th  Infantry,  in  the 
Division  reserve,  was  ordered  not  to  move.  It  was  constantly 
borne  in  mind  that  this  battalion  must  be  preserved  for  some 
unexpected,  yet  decisive,  need.  "H"  hour  was  fixed  for 
6:30  A.M.  At  6:15  the  artillery  began  a  heavy  concentration 
along  the  front  of  the  2d  Brigade  and  the  18th  Infantry,  using 
a  large  proportion  of  smoke  shell  to  screen  the  lines  from  the 
enemy's  machine  gunners.'^  Fortunately,  a  dense  fog  prevailed 
and  was  even  more  effectual  than  the  smoke. 

The  1st  Battalion,  26th  Infantry,  again  led  off  and  moved 
rapidly  to  Hill  212.  This  crest  and  the  woods  to  the  north 
were  strongly  occupied  and  the  enemy  delivered  a  heavy  fire 
from  both  artillery  and  machine  guns.  Upon  reaching  the 
top  of  the  hill  the  3d  Battalion  was  passed  through  the  2d  and 
1st  Battalions  and  fought  its  way  through  the  woods  and 
occupied  the  first  objective  on  schedule  time.    The  Regimental 

"  F.  O.  \o.  48,  First  Division,  1918. 


Upper:    7th  Field  Artillery  crossing  Moselle  River  on  ferry  boat  at  Ruinen  Beilstein, 

Germany,  December  S,  1918. 
Lower:  18th  Infantry  crossing  Moselle  River  at  Gravenmacher,  Germany. 


198  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Commander  employed  the  7tli  Field  Artillery  with  telling 
effect  whenever  concentrations  were  needed.  Notwithstand- 
ing every  possible  assistance  from  the  artillery  and  machine 
guns,  the  infantry  fought  at  close  quarters,  and,  as  on  the 
previous  day,  the  enemy  preferred  to  die  rather  than  cease 
firing.  Again  it  was  necessary  for  the  regiment  to  extend  its 
front  in  order  to  protect  its  right  flank  from  the  enemy  positions 
on  the  right  of  its  zone  of  action. 

The  line  of  advance  of  the  28th  Infantry  lay  obliquely 
across  a  deep  valley,  and  its  zone  of  action  included  the  eastern 
half  of  the  Montrefagne.  This  valley  was  enfiladed  by  the 
enemy  posted  on  Hill  212  and  on  the  Montrefagne  and  in  the 
edge  of  the  large  wooded  area  that  crossed  the  valley  east  of 
the  Montrefagne.  No  more  challenging  task  could  have  been 
given  troops  than  that  of  advancing  for  more  than  a  kilometer 
along  this  deep  draw  with  fire  from  in  front  and  both  flanks. 
The  enemy  had  constructed  strong  shelter  trenches  and  dug- 
outs north  of  the  Beauregard  Farm  as  well  as  along  both 
crests  of  the  valley.  In  spite  of  these  forbidding  defenses,  the 
men  accepted  their  mission  confidentlj^  for  in  the  ranks  of  the 
regiment  were  veterans  of  Cantigny  and  the  ]\Iiss3'  ravine 
and  they  knew  how  to  meet  and  face  death.  With  the  falling 
of  the  barrage,  two  hundred  meters  in  their  front,  the  1st 
Battalion,  fresh  and  impatient,  sprang  forward  and  closed 
upon  the  line  of  bursting  steel.  Men  fell  fast,  but  on  swept 
the  successive  waves.  More  than  fifty  bodies  of  their  brave 
numbers  were  afterward  counted  in  front  of  a  single  group  of 
shelter  trenches.  Typical  of  their  spirit,  thei-e  was  one,  who, 
even  in  death,  knelt  with  his  rifle  ready  to  raise,  his  long  flaxen 
hair  falling  back  from  his  fair  forehead  and  his  face  calm  in  its 
defiance  of  the  danger  that  awaited.  Among  the  many  bodies 
of  the  enemy  dead  at  this  point  were  those  of  several  German 
officers  thickly  surrounded  by  the  corpses  of  their  men.  But 
even  a  more  sanguinary  task  awaited  at  the  Montrefagne. 
A  fresh  enemy  battahon  had  occupied  this  position  during  the 
night.  From  its  commanding  trenches  it  could  fire  directly 
into  the  approaching  Americans.  Up  the  steep  ascent,  through 
the  scrubby  growth  and  across  open  stretches,  the  line  pressed 


THE   MEUSE-ARGONNE   OFFENSIVE  199 

forward  in  close  liaison  with  the  18th  Infantry  on  the  left. 
Men  charged  and  recharged,  the  defenders  fighting  with  the 
desperation  of  a  last  stand.  No  longer  was  there  thought  of 
trenches  or  cover.  Rifles  were  used  at  close  quarters  and  the 
bayonet  came  into  its  own.  From  the  very  summit  to  the 
base  lay  the  bodies  of  friend  and  foe  who  fell  in  that  resistless 
onslaught.  The  position  was  won  by  extermination  and  the 
28th  Infantry  was  again  on  its  objective. 

There  could  have  been  no  greater  tribute  to  the  fighting 
power  of  the  18th  Infantry  than  the  selection  of  the  3d  Battalion 
to  continue,  on  October  5th,  the  assault  which  it  had  made  the 
previous  day.  From  their  shallow  trenches  of  the  night  the 
men  could  look  across  an  open  space  to  the  fringe  of  trees, 
beyond  which  rose  the  coveted  hill.  Wliat  if  their  limbs  were 
stiff  and  cold,  their  bodies  weary  and  their  stomachs  empty, 
the  18th  had  never  failed  and  it  would  not  fail  now.  The  corpses 
that  already  lay  scattered  before  them  were  a  pledge  of  fulfil- 
ment. In  close  liaison  with  the  28th  Infantry,  the  sadly 
thinned  lines  moved  up  the  steep  southern  slope  of  the  Montre- 
fagne,  which  they  had  been  unable  to  hold  the  day  before. 
The  enemy  prepared  for  a  renewal  of  the  assault  by  converging 
a  terrific  artillery  fire  upon  the  exposed  hillside,  and,  from 
the  summit  and  the  sheltered  slopes,  machine  guns  made  gaps 
in  the  ranks,  but  their  resolution  was  only  intensified.  They 
were  not  making  a  lone  fight  now,  for  the  28th  Infantry  was 
moving  abreast  of  them.  In  the  brush  of  the  upper  slopes 
the  hand-to-hand  struggle  began.  Lion-hearted  officers  con- 
tinually placed  and  replaced  their  men,  encouraging  and 
directing  them  with  a  leadership  that  was  beyond  compare, 
until  they  too  fell  in  death.  The  position  was  secured  only 
by  the  annihilation  of  the  defenders,  who  again  and  again 
charged  to  retake  it.  The  simple  monument  erected  on  the 
summit  of  this  blood-stained  hill  in  memory  of  the  First  Divi- 
sion dead  must  ever  fill  with  reverence  and  pride  the  hearts 
of  their  countrymen  who  visit  this  fatal  spot. 

Great  as  had  been  the  carnage  in  the  early  hours  of  this 
eventful  October  5th,  only  the  first  objective  had  been  won. 
With  the  arrival  of  the  infantry  on  the  line,  the  artillery,  ever 


'2()()  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST    DIVISION 

faithful  to  its  task,  began  concentrations  witli  a  maximum 
speed  upon  the  known  and  the  probable  enemy  organizations. 
The  northern  base  of  the  Montrcfagne  and  the  patches  of 
woods  north  and  northeast,  the  slopes  and  crest  of  Hill  272, 
the  western  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Money  and  ihe  high  ground 
east  of  the  Division  zone  of  action,  were  deluged  with  shell 
and  shrapnel.  At  the  appointed  time  the  barrage  fell  to 
lead  the  advance  to  the  second  objective.  Again  the  regi- 
ments fought  their  way  against  the  most  bitter  opposition. 

The  3d  Battalion,  26th  Infantry,  launched  a  determined 
drive  for  the  second  objective.  It  soon  came  under  a  cross 
fire  from  the  Bois  de  Money  on  the  right  and  the  woods  on  the 
left,  while  the  Arietal  Farm  presented  an  organized  position 
in  front.  Beyond  lay  the  massive  ridge  of  Hill  272,  whose 
slopes  were  a  veritable  machine  gun  hive.  Here  and  there 
small  groups  of  men  filtered  through  the  woods  and  along  the 
natural  depressions  of  the  broken  ground  and,  by  superior 
leadership  in  all  grades,  succeeded  in  flanking  or  smothering 
the  enemy's  strong  points.  Upon  approaching  the  Bois  de 
Money,  two  companies  of  the  1st  Battalion  attacked  due  east 
and  occupied  the  enemy's  prepared  positions,  thus  securing  the 
right  flank.  After  the  capture  of  the  Arietal  Farm,  the  fire 
from  Hill  272  became  so  deadly  that  it  was  evident  that  special 
preparation  must  be  made  before  assaulting  the  dominating 
ridge.  The  advance  troops  therefore  dug  in  and  reorganized 
their  positions,  extending  well  into  the  Bois  de  Money. 

At  this  point  there  occurred  one  of  those  remarkable 
incidents  that  place  a  premium  on  daring  and  resourcefulness 
during  war  and  that  often  i-esult  in  success  far  beyond  the 
magnitude  of  the  original  enterprise.  In  accordance  with  the 
orders  from  the  Corps  to  assist  the  advance  of  the  Division  on 
the  right,  the  regimental  commander  was  ordered  to  send  a 
patrol  in  the  direction  of  Hill  269  as  soon  as  he  reached  the 
Arietal  Farm.  Thinking  only  of  its  mission,  the  patrol,  led 
by  a  sergeant,  boldly  made  its  way  through  the  forest  and 
promptly  reported  that  the  western  slope  was  unoccupied."" 

2"  War  Diary,  First  Division. 


THE   MEUSE-ARGONNE  OFFENSIVE  201 

At  that  time  the  enemy's  Hne  was  facing  the  division  on  the 
right  several  hundred  meters  south  of  Hill  269.  Upon  receiving 
the  report  the  brigade  commander  at  once  sent  a  detachment 
to  occupy  the  hill.  The  presence  of  this  small  group  in  the 
rear  of  the  enemy's  lines  confused  his  circulation  so  greatly 
that  prisoners  were  constantly  captured  while  trying  to  pass 
through  the  Bois  de  Money.  It  was  a  key  point  in  the  terrain 
and  its  timely  seizure  saved  a  costly  assault.  The  occupancy 
was  reported  to  the  neighboring  Division  in  whose  zone  of 
action  it  la}^  and  to  the  Corps,  but  fighting  was  then  taking 
place  in  the  Bois  de  la  Morine  and  the  Bois  du  Chene  Sec 
and  troops  could  not  advance  directly  to  Hill  269.'-' 

When  the  28th  Infantry  advanced  from  the  first  objective, 
the  2d  Battalion,  which  until  then  had  been  in  brigade  reserve, 
passed  through  the  3d  and  1st  Battalions  and  assaulted  in 
liaison  with  the  26th  Infantry  on  the  right  and  the  18th  Infantry 
on  the  left.  No  sooner  had  it  cleared  the  southern  slope  of 
the  Montrefagne  than  it  met  the  bullets  from  Hill  272  and 
the  enemy's  converging  artillery  fire,  as  well  as  that  from  the 
machine  gun  organizations  in  the  woods  and  trenches  north 
of  the  Montrefagne.  As  in  the  case  of  the  26th  Infantry,  it 
was  found  that  an  especially  prepared  assault  -would  be  required 
to  take  Hill  272,  and  the  advance  Une  stabilized  in  front  of 
the  woods  at  the  northern  base  of  the  Montrefagne.  Here 
the  troops  were  subjected  to  constant  shelhng,  including  huge 
bombs  from  the  minnenwerfer  hidden  in  the  valley. 

The  18th  Infantry  continued  its  advance,  fighting  in 
liaison  with  the  28th  Infantry,  and  reached  the  low  ground 
at  the  northern  base  of  the  Montrefagne,  where  the  men  dug 
in.  During  the  fighting  on  the  hill,  battalions  of  two  addi- 
tional enemy  divisions,  one  of  which  was  the  1st  Guards,  were 
identified  among  the  prisoners.  The  entire  surface  of  the  hill, 
as  well  as  the  lines,  was  subjected  to  constant  shelling.  The 
front  line  of  the  Division  now  extended  from  Fleville  to  the 
Arietal  Farm  and  into  the  Bois  de  Money.  The  wedge  was 
driven  and  the  Argonne  was  flanked. 

Throughout  the  day  the  16th  Infantry  lay  under  a  con- 
stant rain  of  shell  and  gas  from  the  enemy's  well-jalaced  bat- 

-'  Daily  Operations  Report,  32d  Division,  October  5-6,  1918. 


202  IIISTOK'V    OK   THE    FIRST    DIVISION 

teries.  The  losses  mounted  high  and  the  sufferings  of  the 
men  as  they  crouched  in  their  small,  grave-like  holes,  without 
food  or  water  and  often  without  even  the  possibilitj'  of  dress- 
ings for  their  wounds,  were  indescribable.  Nevertheless,  there 
was  no  thought  of  withdrawing,  even  though  the  life  of  the 
last  man  had  been  sacrificed  in  maintaining  this  vitallj'  neces- 
sary position. 

Heroic  as  had  been  the  infantry  struggle,  it  must  not  be 
supposed  that  they  battled  unaided.  The  machine  gunners 
were  ever  in  the  forefront  and  constantly  gave  new  proofs 
of  their  skill  and  daring.  They  contributed  largclj'  to  break- 
ing up  repeated  counter-attacks  and  they  suppressed  numerous 
enemy  machine  gun  nests.  Their  casualties  testified  to  the 
superb  devotion  that  animated  them. 

Without  rest  and  with  guns  that  scarcely  cooled,  the 
field  artillery  gave  unmeasured  support  both  day  and  night. 
Some  guns  averaged  more  than  one  thousand  rounds  per  day, 
which  means  that  each  one  of  them  hurled  more  than  seven 
and  one-half  tons  of  bursting  steel,  daily,  into  the  enemy's 
positions.  Batteries  were  constantly  .shelled  and  often  forced 
to  move  to  escape  destruction.  Ammunition  dumps  and 
caissons  were  blown  up,  guns  and  gun  squads  were  disabled  by 
direct  hits,  and  whole  teams  were  destroyed.  The  casualties 
of  the  artillery,  though  lighter  than  those  of  the  infantry  in 
numbers,  told  heavily  upon  the  personnel,  and  the  greatest 
resourcefulness  was  required  to  maintain  the  accurate  service 
of  the  guns. 

Third  Day>  October  6th. — In  conformity  with  orders  from 
the  Corps,  the  Division  held  its  position  without  trying  to 
advance.  Efforts  to  push  patrols  to  the  front,  and  to  infiltrate 
from  theArietal  Farm  toward  Hill  272,  were  promptly  repulsed. 
The  3d  Battalion,  26th  Infantry,  endeavored  to  advance  around 
the  eastern  end  of  Hill  272  and  encountered  at  least  a  regiment 
of  the  enemy's  troops  moving  to  make  a  counter-attack. 
Severe  fighting  followed,  and  the  enemy  was  routed.  The 
losses  to  the  battalion  were  proportionately  great,  but  the 
ground  gained  was  left  undisputedly  in  its  possession. 

During  the  day  the  1st  Engineers,  in  the  Division  reserve, 
moved  to  Charpentry  and  Baulny  and  that  night  commenced 


THE   MEUSE-ARGONNE   OFFENSIVE  208 

the  construction  of  a  defensive  line  along  the  position,  S^rieux 
Farm-Chauclron  Farm.  Again  the  entire  lines  were  subjected 
to  intense  shelling  and  the  streams  of  wounded  continued  to 
flow  from  all  the  regiments  to  the  Division  hospitals.  Every 
effort  was  made  to  bury  the  large  number  of  dead  that  now 
lay  about  the  field,  but  on  account  of  the  losses  to  the  burial 
parties,  it  was  necessary  to  discontinue  their  work.  During 
the  night  of  October  6th-7th  a  detachment  from  the  Division 
on  the  right  was  guided  along  the  First  Division's  zone  of 
action  and  relieved  the  detachment  of  the  26th  Infantry  on 
the  western  slope  of  Hill  269.^'  At  the  same  time  the  7th 
Field  Artillerj^  advanced  to  La  Neuville-lc-Comte  Farm. 

Fourth  Day,  October  7th. — During  the  night  of  October 
6th-7th  the  82d  Division  entered  the  zone  of  action  of  the 
First  Division  and,  early  on  the  morning  of  October  7th, 
assaulted  due  west  against  the  line,  Chatel  Chehery-Hills 
180,  223  and  2U:-'  The  6th  Field  Artillery  was  cUrected  to 
assist  in  covering  this  attack.  The  success  of  the  action  reheved 
the  16th  Infantry  from  the  severe  flanking  fire  to  which  it  had 
been  constantly  subjected  while  advancing  and  while  holding 
its  forward  line. 

Orders  of  the  First  Army  now  transferred  the  First  Divi- 
sion to  the  Fifth  Corps  and  the  181st  Infantry  Brigade  of  the 
91st  Division,  though  greatly  reduced  by  recent  fighting,  was 
attached  to  the  First  Division.  At  the  same  time,  the  zone 
of  action  of  the  First  Division  was  extended  on  the  right  to 
the  line.  Hill  269-TuiIlerie  Farm,  while  on  the  left  it  was 
bounded  by  the  line,  Fleville-Sommerance.  The  object  of  the 
extension  was  to  assist  the  division  on  the  right  by  clearing 
up  Le  Petit  Bois,  Hill  263  and  the  Bois  de  Romagne.-^ 

During  the  night  the  1st  BattaHon,  1st  Engineers,  was 
moved  to  Tronsol  Farm  and  placed  under  orders  of  the  2d 
Brigade  Commander,  who  directed  it  to  relieve  the  elements 
of  the  Division  on  the  right  on  Hill  269.  The  battalion  was 
reinforced  by  Company  B,  1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion.-^ 

^^  Report,  First  Division,  November  24,  1918. 

^  F.  O.  No.  44,  First  Army,  1918. 

2"  F.  O.  No.  46,  First  Army,  1918. 

-*  War  Diaries,  1st  Engineer.?  and  1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 


204  HISTORY   OF   THK    FIl^ST    DIVISION 

While  advancing  up  the  hill,  the  battalion  eanio  under  a  severe 
sheUing  that  caused  some  casualties.  The  reUcf  was  completed 
at  5:30  a.m.  The  enemy  was  found  to  be  strongly  occupying 
the  summit  of  the  hill  and  the  eastern  slope. 

Fifth  Day,  October  8th.— At  4:00  p.  m.  the  1st  Battalion, 
1st  Engineers,  assisted  by  a  detachment  of  the  26th  Infantry: 
attacked  and  drove  the  enemy  from  the  summit  of  Hill  269 
and  organized  it  for  defense.-'' 

At  about  3:00  p.  m.  the  26th  Infantry  prepared  to  have 
the  3d  Battalion  advance  against  the  summit  of  Hill  272  and 
the  2d  Battalion  attack  east  of  the  hill.  Din-ing  the  move- 
ment observers  on  Hill  212  reported  a  body  of  enemy  troops 
advancing  from  the  edge  of  the  woods  south  of  Hill  263  and 
another  body  of  hostile  troops  advancing  five  hundred  meters 
north  of  Hill  272.  The  7th  Field  Artillery  and  the  1st  and 
3d  Machine  Gun  Battalions,  firing  from  the  slopes  of  Hill  212, 
delivered  an  accurate  fire  against  the  enemy  south  of  Hill  263, 
and  the  howitzers  of  the  5th  Field  Artillerj'  at  once  reached 
the  enemy  north  of  Hill  272.  "While  the  battahons,  thus 
assisted,  were  able  to  destroy  the  hostile  counter-attack, 
their  offensive  action  ceased. 

Orders  were  received  from  the  Fifth  Corps  for  an  assault 
along  the  entire  front,  on  the  morning  of  October  9th.-'  The 
Division  plan  of  action  prescribed  for  the  first  objective  a  line 
passing  north  of  Hill  272,  and  for  the  second  objective  a  line 
passing  north  of  the  Cote  de  Maldah  and  the  Bois  de  Romagne. 
The  front  covered  a  distance  of  more  than  four  kilometers. 
HiU  272,  which  had  defied  all  efforts  to  advance,  was  by  far  the 
most  dangerous  of  the  enemy's  positions.  The  1st  Battalion, 
16th  Infantry,  which  had  been  held  in  the  Division  reserve 
and  generally  out  of  reach  of  hostile  fire,  was  assigned  this 
difficult  objective,  and  it  was  placed  under  the  orders  of  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  18th  Infantry.  Its  zone  of  action 
included  the  entire  Hill  272.  The  2d  Brigade  was  required 
to  change  front  and  attack  northeasterly  between  Hill  272 
and  the  line,  Hill  269-Tuillerie  Farm.    The  1st  Brigade  (less 

-"  War  Diary,  1st  Engineers. 

■'■  F.  O.  No.  51,  First  Army,  191S. 


THE   MEUSE-ARGONNE   OFFENSIVE  205 

the  1st  Battalion,  16th  Infantry)  also  changed  direction  slightly 
and  attacked  between  HiU  272  and  the  Une,  Fleville-Som- 
merance.  The  assaulting  battaUons  of  the  2d  Brigade  were  to 
pass  through  the  front  line  battalions  at  the  moment  of  the 
assault  and  the  1st  Battalion,  16th  Infantry,  was  to  pass 
through  the  28th  Infantry  at  the  same  time.  The  front  line 
battalions  were  then  required  to  re-form,  with  the  26th  Infantry 
at  Arietal  Farm  and  the  28th  Infantry  at  St.  Germain  Farm. 
The  1st  Battalion,  1st  Engineers,  was  required  to  be  the  pivot 
of  the  attack  in  its  position  on  Hill  269  and  to  clear  the  Bois 
de  Money.  The  361st  Infantry  from  the  91st  Division  was 
directed  to  hold  the  flank  on  the  right  of  the  1st  BattaUon, 
1st  Engineers.  The  362d  Infantry,  the  2d  Battalion,  1st 
Engineers,  the  1st  Battalion,  26th  Infantr3^  and  the  1st 
Machine  Gun  Battalion  constituted  the  Division  resei^ve. 

The  artillery  was  ordered  to  put  down  heavy  concentra- 
tions throughout  October  8th  on  all  the  enemy's  positions 
and  to  keep  Hill  272  under  fire  of  shell,  shrapnel  and  non- 
persistent  gas. 

The  advance  to  the  first  objective  was  to  be  made  by  the 
1st  Brigade  at  "H"  hour  and  by  the  2d  Brigade  at  "H" 
plus  twenty-two  minutes.  The  barrage  was  to  faU  at  "H" 
minus  three  minutes,  two  hundred  meters  in  front  of  the  entire 
line.  In  order  to  secure  sufficient  densitj'  of  artillery  fire, 
the  2d  Brigade,  the  1st  Battalion,  16th  Infantry,  and  the  1st 
Brigade  were  required  to  advance  successively  from  the  first 
objective  with  all  the  artillery  covering  each  echelon  in  its 
turn.  Heavy  concentrations  were  ordered  to  precede  the 
forward  movement  of  each  of  these  three  sections. 

Company  C,  1st  Gas  Regiment,  was  ordered  to  occupy 
the  Montrefagne  on  the  night  of  October  8th  and  to  fire 
thermite  concentrations  on  the  patches  of  woods  to  the  north 
of  the  Montrefagne  for  fifteen  minutes  preceding  "H"  hour. 

The  provisional  squadron  of  cavalry  was  assigned  to 
liaison  duty.  "H"  Iiour  was  fixed  for  8:30  o'clock  for  the 
attack  by  the  entire  First  Army.-'' 

There  was  never  a  more  trying  period  for  the  First  Divi- 
sion than  October  6th,  7th  and  8th,  when  it  waited  for  the  First 

"  F.  0.  No.  49,  Fir-st  Divi.sion,  1918. 


206  HISTORY   (JF   THE   FIRST   DIMSION 

Army  to  renew  the  assault.  The  men  dug,  as  best  they  could, 
shallow  holes  for  protection.  In  these  they  lay  under  a 
downpour  of  shell,  gas  and  bullets.  Frequently,  the  Montre- 
fagne  looked  like  a  veritable  volcano.  For  hours  at  a  time  the 
smoke  from  bursting  shell  in  the  Exermont  ravine,  and  in  the 
depressions  north  of  it,  resembled  forest  fires.  Every  valley 
was  drenched  with  gas.  The  casualties  among  the  burial 
parties,  as  far  back  as  the  Montrebeau,  were  so  numerous 
that  they  were  discontinued.  All  batteries  were  shelled  in 
their  exposed  positions.  Streams  of  wounded  flowed  from 
every  part  of  the  zone  of  action.  Ambulances  could  not 
operate  forward  of  the  Montrebeau,  and  the  ever-increasing 
groups  of  bodies  about  their  receiving  stations  told  of  the 
wounded  who  died  on  the  stretchers  while  being  brought  from 
the  places  where  they  fell.  Corpses  lay  in  the  trails  and  at 
night  one  constantly  avoided  stumbUng  over  them.  Columns 
of  German  prisoners  came  to  the  rear  bearing,  on  improvised 
litters,  the  unconscious  forms  of  the  seriously  wounded,  until 
the  ambulance  stations  were  reached.  By  night,  the  crackle 
of  machine  guns,  the  bursting  of  shell  and  the  flare  of  signal 
rockets  were  confusing  and  awe-inspiring.  As  in  other  sectors, 
the  faithful  details  from  the  kitchens  made  their  way  to 
their  companies,  heedless  of  the  danger  and  paying  their  toll 
of  sacrifice  and  death.  All  the  while  the  1st  Field  Artillery 
Brigade  delivered  its  schedules  of  fire  tirelessly  and  inexorably. 
The  enemy's  communications,  batteries  and  trench  organiza- 
tions were  constantly  harassed  and  smothered.  Hill  272  was 
the  chief  target  and  hundreds  of  tons  of  steel  swept  its 
surface.  So  effectively  was  this  fire  maintained  that,  dur- 
ing this  period,  the  occupants  of  the  hill  were  cut  off  from  food 
and  water  and,  as  it  was  aftem'^ard  learned,  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  position  could  neither  receive  nor  issue  orders. 
The  enemy  w-as  still  holding  the  Kriemhilde  Stellung 
and  his  hopes  were  high.  The  morale  of  his  army  and  his 
people  was  good.  If  he  could  hold  back  the  Americans,  his 
vital  communications  would  be  saved  and  he  could  pass  another 
winter  in  the  trenches  with  perhaps  the  hope  of  a  more  success- 
ful spring  offensive.    These  were  indeed  days  of  great  anxiety 


THE   MEUSE-ARGONNK    OFFENSIVE  207 

and  heart-ache,  and  wliile  the  troops  bravely  shed  their  blood, 
the  elements  of  command  and  the  staffs  cari-ied  a  load  of 
responsibility  and  care  little  understood  by  others. 

Again  there  was  realized  the  significance  of  the  words 
that  came  from  the  ranks  while  marching  to  the  field  of 
battle,  "We  don't  belong  to  any  Corps — we  go  to  the  Corps 
that  needs  us  most."  From  the  Third  Corps,  where  it  was 
needed  to  cover  the  right  flank,  the  Division  went  to  the 
First  Corps,  where  it  was  needed  to  restore  the  line  and  flank 
the  Argonne.  Now  it  was  passed  to  the  Fifth  Corps,  where 
it  was  needed  to  loosen  the  enemy's  hold  and  help  the  front 
to  progress. 

Battle  is  a  game  of  reserves,  and  the  First  Division  had 
learned  by  experience  how  to  play  it  within  its  limitations. 
After  eight  days  in  the  Une  and  five  days' fighting,  it  still  had 
the  1st  Battalion,  16th  Infantry,  nearly  one  thousand  strong, 
fresh  as  it  was  possible  to  be  in  the  wake  of  battle,  and  eager 
for  the  opportunity  to  do  its  part.  Although  it  was  the  last 
unused  element,  the  time  had  come  to  spend  it,  and  there 
could  be  no  hesitancy  in  throwing  it  against  the  seemingly 
impregnable  fortress  into  which  Hill  272  had  been  converted 
and  upon  whose  capture  the  fate  of  the  battle  rested.  During 
the  night  of  October  7th-8th  the  battalion  had  moved  from 
its  comparatively  sheltered  post  near  Charpentry  and  marched 
proudly  and  confidently  into  the  shelled  area,  past  the  bodies 
that  dotted  the  ground  and  along  the  miry  trails  to  the 
southern  base  of  the  Montrefagne.  On  the  night  of  October 
8th-9th  it  took  its  position  at  the  noz'thern  base  of  the  Mont- 
refagne and  waited  for  the  zero  hour.  Before  it  lay  a  valley 
whose  slopes  down  the  one  side  and  up  the  other  had  no 
vestige  of  cover  and  every  foot  of  which  was  knowai  to  be 
swept  from'  tiers  of  machine  gun  pill-boxes  and  hidden  bat- 
teries of  field  guns  and  trench  mortars.  On  the  east  and  the 
west  the  valley  was  flanked  by  patches  of  woods  known  to 
contain  trenches  and  machine  guns.  It  was  expected  that 
the  advance  of  the  troops  on  the  right  and  the  left  would 
clear  the  woods  and  protect  the  battahon's  flanks. 

On  the  right  of  the  1st  Battalion,  16th  Infantry,  the  1st 
Battalion,  28th  Infantry,  took  its  position  to  pass  through 


208  HISTORY    UK    I'llM    KlllST    J)1\TSI()N 

the  front  line  battalion  of  the  26th  Infantry  and  advance 
against  Hill  263.  Still  farther  to  the  right,  the  2d  Battalion, 
26th  Infantry,  extended  into  the  Bois  de  Money,  prepared  to 
advance  to  Hill  263. 

While  the  1st  Battalion,  16th  Infantry,  occui^ied  the  right 
of  the  zone  of  action  of  the  ISth  Infantry,  the  2d  Battalion, 
18th  Infantry,  was  designated  to  make  the  assault  on  the 
left,  against  Hill  176  and  along  the  valley  between  that  hill 
and  Hill  272.  On  the  extreme  left  the  16th  Infantry  was  to 
resume  its  advance  and  continue  through  Flevilk^  in  con- 
formity with  the  progi'ess  of  the  remainder  of  the  line. 

Sixth  Day,  October  9th. — Never  was  there  a  denser  fog 
than  that  which  ushered  in  the  morning  of  October  9th,  and 
fog  is  the  best  protection  that  could  be  provided  for  assaulting 
machine  gun  nests.  The  artillery  fire  was  delivered  according 
to  the  schedule,  and  at  8:30  o'clock  the  barrage  led  the  assault 
battalions  at  a  rate  of  one  hundred  meters  in  three  minutes. 
Meanwhile  the  entire  regiment  of  155-mm.  howitzers  was 
pounding  the  crest  and  southern  slope  of  Hill  272.  With  a 
dash  that  was  worthy  of  its  mission,  the  1st  Battalion,  16th 
Infantry,  crossed  the  valley  and  reached  the  base  of  Hill  272. 
Up  its  precipitous  slopes  the  men  crept,  skilfully  led  b}-  their 
officers.  Casualties  became  heavy  and  some  of  the  most 
beloved  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers  were  the  first 
to  fall.  Groups  crept  along  the  scarred  slope  and  flanked  the 
machine  guns,  more  than  fifty  of  which  were  captured  during 
the  ascent.  The  northern  slope  was  passed  on  schedule  time 
and  soon  the  battalion  was  on  its  objective.  This  assault 
must  ever  stand  as  one  of  the  most  brilliant  exploits  of  the 
Division  and  it  opened  the  way  for  the  success  that  crowned 
the  remainder  of  the  operation. 

On  the  left,  the  advance  of  the  2d  Battahon,  18th 
Infantry,  was  broken  by  hostile  machine  guns  in  the  edges  of 
the  patches  of  woods  northwest  of  the  Montrefagne.  Some 
of  the  hardest  fighting  of  the  day  took  place  in  the  effort  to 
clear  them.  The  hostile  artillery  fire  was  concentrated  be- 
tween the  two  hills  and  the  men  were  compelled  to  crawl  from 
cover  to  cover.     Losses  were  extremely  heavy  and  it  is  doubt- 


r#g|p^:^^vvi 


i|      T       H 
•       » 


THE   MEUSE-AHOONNE   OFFENSIVE  2()!i 

ful  if  at  any  time  the  ]-osiiii(>nt  i):isso(l  through  a  more  cruel 
ordeal  than  it  eiului'ed  under  the  rain  of  shells  in  this  fatal 
valley.  One  company  succeeded  in  working  its  way  aroimd 
the  western  slope  of  Hill  176,  and  when  the  enemy  found 
himself  flanked  he  witlidrew  and  the  line  was  advanced  to 
the  first  objective.  On  the  extreme  left  the  16th  Infantry 
advanced  on  its  schedule  and,  while  it  sustained  considerable 
loss,  it  was  able  to  overcome  all  opposition. 

On  the  right,  the  2d  Brigade  jumped  off  at  8:52  in  accord- 
ance with  Di\dsion  orders  and  followed  the  liarrage  at  the 
rate  of  one  liundi-ed  meters  in  sLx  minutes.  The  steep, 
heavily  wooded  slope  of  Hill  263  presented  many  difficulties, 
and  the  men  were  often  compelled  to  pull  themselves  up  by 
clinging  to  the  brush  and  small  trees.  The  hostile  defense 
consisted  of  dispersed  machine  guns  which  were  taken  by 
groups  of  men  who  flanked  them  under  cover  of  the  brush 
and  the  deep  ravines  along  the  slope.  Thus,  the  first  objec- 
tive was  reached  and  the  troops  reorganized.^' 

While  the  1st  Battalion,  1st  Engineers,  was  forming  for 
the  advance  at  7:30  o'clock,  its  position  on  Hill  269  was 
viciously  attacked  by  the  enemy  from  the  south  and  east. 
Two  machine  guns  were  captured  and  the  members  of  the 
detachments  were  killed  or  wounded.  The  engineers  promptly 
counter-attacked  and  the  fight  ended  by  driving  the  enemy 
back  and  recovering  the  machine  guns  and  their  wounded 
defenders  who  had  not  been  taken  away.  The  battalion 
then  fought  its  way  to  the  first  objective  and  covered  the  right 
flank.  This  performance  of  the  engineer  troops  is  worthy  of 
the  best  traditions  of  the  Corps  that  they  represented.^"  In 
every  battle  the  engineers  had  fought  as  infantry,  and  on 
this  occasion  both  men  and  officers  gave  proof  of  a  high  morale 
and  an  initiative  in  action  that  must  ever  reflect  credit  upon 
the  regiment  and  upon  the  men  who  composed  it. 

Progress  to  the  day's  objective  was  continued  in  accord- 
ance with  the  schedule.  The  3d  Battalion,  28th  Infantrj^ 
passed  through  the  1st  Battalion,  and  the  2d  Brigade  moved 

-'  Report,  First  Division,  November  24,  1918. 
"°  War  Diary,  1st  Engineers. 


210  iiisroin'  oi''   rill';  kiusi'  dixision 

down  U\v.  Morthcrn  slojx'  of  Hill  2(il5.  An  (Midiiy  fore*'  wliicli 
was  apparently  prei)aring  U»  cuuntor-attack  the  2()tli  Infantry 
was  caught  by  tlie  l:)arrage  and  was  i3ronii)tl\'  tlispersed  by 
the  assaulting  battalion.'" 

The  1st  Battalion,  16th  Infantry,  advanced  in  its  turn, 
led  by  a  barrage  from  all  the  artillery,  and  organized  on  the 
objective  line,  north  of  the  Cote  de  Maldah. 

The  entire  artillery  then  shifted  its  barrage  to  the  front 
of  the  1st  Brigade,  which  advanced  beyond  the  enemy's  field- 
works  north  of  Fleville  and  joined  the  line  of  the  1st  Battalion, 
16th  Infantry.  The  position  occupied  at  the  end  of  the 
operation  extended  in  an  outward  curve  from  a  point  one-half 
kilometer  north  of  Fleville,  along  the  north  of  the  Cote  de 
Maldah  and  the  north  edge  of  Le  Petit  Bois,  through  the 
Bois  de  Romagne  to  the  line  of  Hill  269-Tuillerie  Farm, 
which  was  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  zone  of  action.  During 
the  afternoon  the  eastern  slope  of  Hill  269  was  completely 
cleared  by  a  battalion  of  the  361st  Infantry-,  which  organized 
a  line  facing  north  along  the  slope.  A  battalion  of  the  362d 
Infantry  took  position  to  support  the  361st  Infantr}'.'-'  The 
enemy's  artillery  shelled  the  entire  line  with  great  \dolence 
throughout  the  day  and  night.  The  disorganization  of  the 
enemy's  forces  by  the  success  of  the  daj'  was  now  apparent, 
and,  during  the  night,  a  German  kitchen  cart  from  the  north 
of  Sommerance,  fuUj^  loaded  with  cooked  food,  drove  into 
the  American  lines  in  search  of  the  company  to  which  it 
belonged  and  which  probably  no  longer  existed. 

During  the  night  of  October  9th,  the  light  regiments  of 
the  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  advanced  to  positions  along 
the  line,  Fleville-Hill  272. 

Seventh  Day,  October  10th. — In  conformity  with  orders 
from  the  Fifth  Corps,  the  Division  continued  its  advance  by 
exploitation.  Strong  patrols  preceded  the  lines  and  seized 
and  held  i:)oints  of  advantage  until  they  could  be  occupied  by 
the  leading  battalions.  In  this  way,  the  line  advanced  from 
one  to  two  kilometers  until  at  the  end  of  the  day  it  extended 

^'  Verbal  .statement,  Commanding  Officer,  26th  Infantry,  to  Division  Conmiander. 
^-  Report.  First  Division,  October  17,  1918.    ^^■ar  Diary,  2Gth  Infantry. 


THK   MEUSE-ARGONNE   OFFENSIVE  211 

from  a  point  just  north  of  Sommerance,  along  the  northern 
edge  of  the  Bois  de  Romagne.^' 

Among  the  prisoners  brought  in  during  the  day  was  a 
regimental  commander  who  was  in  a  dug-out  on  Hill  272. 
Although  a  defeated  enemy,  he  recognized  the  superior  fighting 
power  of  his  captors,  and  he  paid  the  following  tribute  to  the 
First  Division: 

I  received  orders  to  hold  my  ground  at  all  costs.  The  American  bar- 
rage advanced  toward  my  position  and  the  work  of  your  artillery  was 
marvelous.  The  barrage  was  so  dense  that  it  was  impossible  for  us  to 
move  out  of  our  dug-outs.  Following  the  barrage  closely  was  the  infantry 
of  the  First  Division.  I  saw  them  forge  ahead  and  I  knew  that  all  was 
lost.  All  night  I  remained  in  my  dug-out  hoping  vainly  that  something 
would  happen  which  would  permit  me  to  rejoin  my  army.  This  morning 
your  troops  fovmd  nie  and  here  I  am,  after  four  years  of  fighting,  a  prisoner. 
Yesterday  I  Icnew  that  the  First  Division  was  opposite  me  and  I  knew  that 
we  would  have  our  hardest  fight  of  the  war.  The  First  Division  is  wonder- 
ful and  the  German  Army  knows  it.  We  did  not  believe  that  within  five 
years  the  Americans  could  develop  a  division  like  the  First.  The  work 
of  its  infantry  and  artillery  is  worthy  of  the  best  armies  of  the  world. ''^ 

Efforts  were  now  resumed  to  bury  the  dead.  All  avail- 
able men  were  organized  into  detachments  and  the  bodies 
were  collected  in  groups  and  buried  with  such  brief  religious 
ceremonies  as  were  possible.  During  the  day  the  181st 
Infantry  Brigade  was  relieved  from  the  First  Division  and 
attached  to  the  32d  Division.^*  It  had  performed  its  arduous 
missions  in  a  manner  that  demonstrated  high  morale  and 
efficiencj^  and  the  First  Division  deeply  appreciated  the 
assistance  that  it  rendered. 

Eighth  Day,  October  11th. — Patrols  sent  forward  for 
exploitation  soon  came  under  heavy  fire  from  the  Kriemhildc 
Stellung,  which  was  found  to  be  an  entrenched  line  protected 
by  wire,  south  of  Landres  et  St.  Georges  and  St.  Georges. 
It  was  evident  that  a  specially  prepared  assault  would  be 
required  to  carry  this  position  and  the  Corps  directed  that 
the  Division  should  merely  hold  the  ground  that  it  had  gained. 

'■''  War  Diary,  26th  Infantry. 

■■"  Memorandum,  G-2,  First  Divisiun,  Ucluljer  10,  1918. 

*  r,  O,  No,  57,  First  Army,  1918.    F.  O.  No.  52,  First  Division,  1918. 


212  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Orders  were  now  received  from  the  Fifth  Corps  for  the 
First  Division  (less  the  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  including 
the  1st  Ammunition  Train)  to  be  relieved  during  the  night 
of  October  llth-12th  by  the  42d  Division. '•''  The  relief  was 
accomplished  without  incident  and  the  troops  assembled  near 
Cheppy.  One  hundred  men  were  left  by  each  regiment  to 
finish  burying  the  dead.  At  the  same  time,  the  Division 
Commander  was  promoted  to  the  command  of  the  Fifth  Army 
Corps. 

The  Recall. — Wearily  and  painfully,  the  depleted  regi- 
ments made  their  way  over  the  miles  of  ground  redeemed  from 
the  invader  by  their  valor  and  their  blood,  to  the  shell-torn 
forest  near  Cheppy.  The  ground  was  a  sea  of  mud  and  there 
was  no  cover  or  warmth  for  the  chilled  bodies  that  were  so 
much  in  need  of  care.  However,  hot  food  was  waiting  for 
the  men,  and  after  eating,  they  slept  from  exhaustion.  There 
were  no  bands  now  to  make  cheering  music,  for  they  too  had 
been  sacrificed  while  trying  to  bury  the  dead  and  perform 
other  services  for  their  regiments.  Hollow-cheeked,  pale  and 
silent,  these  men,  who  had  faced  death  for  days  and  who  had 
returned  to  life  dazed  and  bewildered,  relaxed  and  slept  like 
childhood.  Such  conversation  as  fell  from  their  lips  was  low- 
voiced  and  calm,  and  their  talk  was  not  of  their  o^^^l  prowess 
or  their  hardships,  ])ut  of  those  who  had  been  left  on  the  field 
of  honor.  They  knew  that  again  they  had  turned  the  tide 
of  battle  and  they  were  soothed  by  the  consciousness  that 
their  task  had  been  completed  with  honor  to  their  Division 
and  to  their  country.  No  word  of  criticism  or  complaint  was 
uttered  and  each  heart  was  filled  with  pride  in  the  command 
and  with  mutual  admiration  and  confidence  in  all  grades. 

On  October  13th  the  small  columns  retraced  their  steps 
over  the  trails  by  which  their  great  battalions  had  advanced 
just  two  weeks  before,  and  upon  arriving  at  Les  Islettes  the 
Division  again  passed  to  the  command  of  the  First  Corps. 
Trucks  could  not  be  obtained  to  move  the  troops  and  they 
proceeded  by  marching,  feeble  as  their  bodies  were,  to  the 
Vavincourt  Area,  seventy^-fivo  kilometers  to  the  south.  Great 
as  had  been  its  accomplishments,  the  work  of  the  Division 
was  not  done  and  would  never  be  done  while  there  was  war 


=«  F.  O.  No.  51,  First  Division,  1918. 


THE   MEUSE-ARC.ONNE   OFFENSIVE  21.3 

to  lie  waged  and  blood  to  be  w])ilk'd  I'oi-  Imniaiiity.  Imme- 
diately, replacements  began  to  arrive  and  the  Division  set 
about  delousing,  re-ecjuipping  and  training  to  take  its  place 
again  in  the  hne  of  battle. 

Summary  of  the  Battle. — The  Division  advanced  seven 
kilometers  and  defeated  elements  of  eight  enemy  divisions, 
some  of  whom  chose  to  defend  their  positions  to  the  last. 
They  included  the  1st  Guards,  the  5th  Guards,  the  37th  and 
the  41st  Divisions  in  front  of  the  1st  Brigade  and  the  52d, 
45th,  28th  and  the  115th  Divisions  in  front  of  the  2d  Brigade." 
The  terrain  offered  unusual  advantages  for  the  defense,  and 
to  natural  obstacles  were  added  organized  positions  well 
entrenched  and  protected  by  wire.  Throughout  the  advance 
both  flanks  were  exposed  and  the  arc  from  which  the  batteries 
were  bombarded  measured  at  times  one  hundred  and  sixty 
degrees.  The  wedge  driven  the  first  two  days  flanked  the 
Argonne,  pennitting  it  to  be  cleared  by  the  82d  Division,  and 
the  change  of  direction  the  last  three  days  loosened  the  enemy's 
hold  to  the  east.  The  Ime  which  the  Division  found  crumbling 
was  restored  and  carried  forward  to  the  assault  position  for 
the  Kriemhilde  Stellung,  the  last  of  the  enemy's  organized 
defenses. 

The  prisoners  included  one  lieutenant  colonel,  one  captain, 
twenty-six  lieutenants,  four  hundred  and  fifty-five  non-com- 
missioned officers  and  nine  hundred  and  twenty-four  enlisted 
men,  making  a  total  of  one  thousand  four  hundred  and  seven. ^* 
The  enemy's  losses  in  killed  were  very  great  owing  to  his 
stubborn  defense. 

The  material  captured  included  thirteen  field  guns,  ten 
trench  mortars  and  quantities  of  machine  guns,  rifles,  am- 
munition and  stores. 

The  casualties  in  the  Division  were  as  follows: 

Killed  or  died  of  wounds 08  officers,  1,.526  men 

Wounded 128  officers,  5,706  men 

Missing 59  men 

Prisoners 33  men 

Total 196  officers,  7,324  men''  y 

"  Report,  First  Division,  November  24,  191S. 
38  Report,  First  Division,  October  17,  1918. 

='  Ciisnalty  Records,  First  Division. 


214  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIMSION 

'I'lic  licld  hospitals  i-cconlcd  sr)54  admissions,  including  those 
from  other  divisions. 

The  carcasses  of  three  hundred  and  seventy-five  animals, 
many  of  them  horribly  torn  by  shell,  lay  scattered  along  the 
roads  and  near  the  battery  positions. 

Again  there  was  demonstrated  that  sublime  courage  to 
advance,  whatever  the  resistance  or  the  cost;  that  indomitable 
resolution  to  win,  which  is  the  foundation  of  victory;  and 
that  fortitude  under  hardship,  privation  and  overA\'helming 
losses  that  marked  the  character  of  the  First  Division.  It 
was  here  that  it  earned  and  received  in  General  Orders  of  the 
A.  E.  F.,  the  encomium  which  will  be  cherished  not  only  by 
those  whose  valiant  sacrifices  won  it,  but  by  all  ^\•ho  shall  ever 
perve  in  its  ranks: 

THE  COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF  HAS  NOTED  IN  THIS  DIVI- 
SION A  SPECIAL  PRIDE  OF  SERVICE  AND  A  HIGH  STATE 
OF  MORALE,  NEVER  BROKEN  BY  HARDSHIP  NOR  BATTLE. 

The  nation  that  would  win  in  ^\'ar  must  distinguish  be- 
tween the  type  of  troops  that  can  hold  a  prepared  position 
against  a  heavy  assault  and  the  fighting  spirit  that  inspires 
men  to  hurl  themselves  even  to  destruction  against  a  wall  of 
bullets  and  shell.  In  recognition  of  its  superb  conduct,  the 
Commander-in-Chief  gave  the  Division  the  following  citation 
order,  which  is  the  only  one  awarded  to  a  single  American 
Division : 

C.  H.  Q. 
American  Expeditionary  Forces 
General  Orders 

No.  201.  France,  Nov.  19,  1918. 

1.  The  Commander-in-Chief  desires  to  maiie  of  record  in  the  General 
Orders  of  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  his  extreme  satisfaction  with 
the  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  First  Division  in  its  advance 
west  of  the  Meuse  between  October  4  and  11,  1918.  During  this  period 
the  Division  gained  a  distance  of  seven  kilometers  over  a  country  which 
presented  not  only  remarkable  facihties  for  enemy  defense,  but  also  great 
difficulties  of  terrain  for  the  operations  of  our  troops. 

2.  The  Division  met  with  resistance  from  elements  of  eight  hostile 
divisions,  most  of  which  were  first-class  troops  and  some  of  which  were 


THE  MEUSE-ARGONNE  OFFENSIVE  215 

completely  rested.  The  enemy  chose  to  defend  his  position  to  death, 
aiul  the  fighting  was  always  of  the  most  desperate  kind.  Throughout 
the  operations  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Division  displayed  the  highest 
type  of  courage,  fortitude  and  self-sacrificing  devotion  to  duty.  In  addition 
to  many  enemy  killed,  the  Division  captured  one  thousand  four  hundi'cd 
and  seven  of  the  enemy,  thirteen  77-milUmeter  field  guns,  ten  trench 
mortars  and  numerous  machine  guns  and  stores. 

3.  The  success  of  the  Division  in  driving  a  deep  advance  into  the 
enemy's  territory  enabled  an  assault  to  he  made  on  the  left  by  the  neigh- 
boring division  against  the  northeastern  portion  of  the  Forest  of  Argonne 
and  enabled  the  First  Division  to  advance  to  the  right  and  outflank  the 
enemy's  position  in  front  of  the  division  on  that  flank. 

4.  The  Commander-in-Chief  has  noted  in  this  Division  a  special 
pride  of  service  and  a  high  state  of  morale,  never  broken  by  hardship 
nor  battle. 

5.  This  order  will  be  read  to  all  organizations  at  the  first  assembly 
formation  after  its  receipt. 

By  command  of  General  Pershing : 
Official:  James  W.  McAndeew, 

Robert  C.  Davis,  Chief  of  Staff. 

Adjutant  General. 

The  leadership  and  the  response  in  all  grades  was  admi- 
rable throughout  the  battle,  and  it  does  not  detract  from  the 
merits  of  others  to  emphasize  the  part  played  by  the  battalion 
commanders.  As  at  Soissons,  it  was  here  again  demonstrated 
that  the  battle  was  pre-eminently  in  their  hands.  The  bat- 
talion was  regarded  as  the  ground-gaining  unit.  The  bat- 
talion commanders  were  men  who  had  risen  to  their  grades 
by  proven  merit.  Brave,  cool,  and  skilful,  they  had  no 
superior  as  fighters.  They  were  loved  by  their  officers  and 
men  and  trusted  by  their  commanders.  It  was  their  task  to 
apply  the  orders  received  to  the  accomplishment  of  their 
missions;  to  keep  themselves  accurately  informed  as  to  the 
enemy;  to  make  wise  and  timely  dispositions;  to  take  the 
initiative  in  every  emergency ;  to  acquaint  their  officers  clearly 
with  their  plans;  to  employ  all  their  special  arms;  to  co- 
ordinate their  commands  with  the  neighboring  units;  to 
employ  effectively  the  signal  details,  the  scout  platoon,  the 
machine  guns,  the  37-mm.  guns,  the  Stokes  mortars,  and  the 
accompanying  artillery  to  assist  their  companies;   and,  above 


216 


HISTUKY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


all,  to  press  the  attack  or  to  hold  the  ground  wliatever  the 
opposition.  Some  were  wounded  and  all  exposed  themselves 
fearlessly  in  going  among  their  men,  encouraging  them, 
organizing  their  positions  and  maintaining  cohesion.  They 
bore  their  load  of  responsibility  with  fortitude  and  to  them 
are  due  to  a  determining  degree  the  brilliant  successes  of  the 
Division. 


CHAPTER   X 

THE  FIRST  DIVISION  RESUMES  THE  BATTLE 

In  the  Rest  Area. — The  troops  assembled  in  the  Vavin- 
court  Area  October  16th.  For  more  than  a  month  these 
tired  and  war-scarred  veterans  had  had  no  shelter  and  very 
little  rest,  and  had  fought  during  that  period  in  two  of  the 
greatest  battles  in  American  historJ^  Now  they  were  given 
the  usual  lofts  and  stables  for  billets,  where  they  could  de- 
louse,  bathe,  change  clothing,  sleep  out  of  the  rain  and  eat 
warm  food.  Under  such  comparatively  favorable  conditions, 
and  with  the  reserve  vitality  of  youth,  they  rapidly  recuper- 
ated in  body  and  mind. 

The  urgency  for  reorganization  was  too  great  for  many 
officers  and  men  to  take  even  short  leaves.  The  Division 
was  placed  on  the  priority  list  for  replacements  and  re-equip- 
ment. More  than  eight  thousand  men  poured  in  to  fill  the 
ranks.  Most  of  them  had  been  inducted  into  the  service  in 
July,  and  they  had  been  afforded  little  opportunity  for  training. 
It  is  a  tribute  to  the  morale  of  the  veterans  that  these  new 
arrivals  should  have  been  immediately  imbued  with  the  spirit 
of  pride  and  resolution  that  characterized  the  command. 
With  a  keen  insight  into  the  psychology  of  the  men,  and  with 
true  vision,  the  Division  Commander  at  this  time  published 
the  following  memorandum,  which  acted  like  magic  to  re- 
kindle the  old  fighting  spirit  and  to  stimulate  their  enthusiasm 
for  battle: 

Headquarters,  First  Division, 
Memorandum  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

No.  168  France,  October  19,  1918. 

The  First  Division  will  proljably  Ije  called  on  to  enter  the  lire  again 
before  many  days.  The  High  Command  has  found  it  necessary  and  wise 
to  make  this  further  call  on  us  and  we  of  the  First  Division  know  that  only 
the  best  of  reasons  again  calls  us  into  the  line. 

The  enemy  is  weakening  along  his  entire  front,  retreating  from  the 
greater  part  of  it,  while  his  allies  are  already  in  a  state  of  demoralization. 
This  is  no  time  for  us  to  relax  our  efforts.    It  may  be  that  a  few  more  weeks 

(217) 


218  HISTORY   OF   THE   I-IKST   DIVISION 

of  hammering;  will  cause  the  collapse  of  the  Central  Empires  and  relieve 
us  from  the  many  months  of  discomfort  of  a  winter  campaign. 

The  spirit  of  this  Division  has  been,  is  and  will  be,  to  give  all  that  we 
have  when  oiu^  Country  calls  upon  us  and  we  nuist  now  clearly  see  and 
understand  the  necessity  for  putting  our  full  effort  into  carrying  out  the 
orders  of  the  High  Command  with  absolute  faith  in  his  wisdom. 

This  memorandum  will  be  read  to  all  platoons  by  the  platoon  com- 
manders, and  the  brigade  commanders  will  see  themselves  that  every  man 
of  their  commands  has  heard  and  understood  its  contents. 
By  Command  of  Brigadier  General  Parker: 

W.  R.  Wheeler, 
Major,  Infantry,  U.  S.  A., 

Division  Adjutant. 

A  formal  training  schedule  w^as  commenced  October  20th 
and  continued,  regardless  of  the  rainy  weather,  until  October 
24th,  when  once  again  orders  came  for  the  First  Division  to 
turn  its  face  toward  the  greatest  of  all  battlefields.' 

During  the  nights  of  October  25th  to  29th,  the  famihar 
French  camions  jolted  their  loads  of  human  freight  from  the 
Va\dncourt  billets  to  the  wooded  area  north  of  Rarecoin-t. 
Here  the  Division  passed  again  to  the  Fifth  Army  Cordis  and 
was  designated  as  Corps  reserve  for  the  great  assault  that  was 
to  be  delivered  November  1  st . 

On  October  29th  the  Division  Comnumder  issued  another 
api^eal  to  the  troops,  A\hich  fired  the  resolution  of  every  man 
to  maintain  the  reputation  that  had  been  won  at  such  great 
cost. 

Headquarters,  First  Division, 
Memorandum  for  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

Members  of  the  France,  October  29,  1918. 

First  Division 

It  will  be  well  for  us  to  bear  in  mind  at  all  times  and  especially  upon 
the  eve  of  active  operations,  the  following: 

1.  That  we  are  the  first  assault  division  of  the  A.  E.  F. 

2.  That  we  have,  on  four  battlefields,  always  taken  all  objectives 
assigned  to  us. 

3.  That  we  have  gone  through  the  best  German  troops  for  a  total  of 
thirty  kilometers  and  have  never  surrendered  an  inch  of  ground 
to  the  enenn'. 

4.  That  for  every  prisoner,  we  have  taken  over  one  hundred  ( Icnnans. 

'  F .  ().  Xo.  82,  First  .\rmy,  1018.     F.  O.  No.  55,  First  Divi.sion,  iniS. 


THE  FIRST   DIVISION   RESUMES   BATTLE  21U 

5.     Thai  the  nlinvo  rrcoi'd  lias  liccn  duo  to  tho  pi'iilc  .-iihI  spii'ii  of  oacli 
individual  member  of  the  Division  who,  each  in  his  own  place, 
has  given  to  his  Country  his  entire  effort  of  heart,  nu'nd  and  body. 
By  Command  of  Brigadier  General  Parker: 

J.  W.  Greely, 

Chief  of  Staff. 

The  Corps  Commander  visited  his  old  Division  on 
October  31st  and  addressed  each  regiment,  telling  the  men 
of  the  final  task  that  lay  before  them  and  assuring  them  of 
his  confidence  in  their  fulfilment  of  the  supreme  test  that 
now  awaited.  These  were  indeed  hours  of  stress  and  respon- 
sibility that  only  those  who  shared  them  can  ever  realize. 

On  the  night  of  October  31st  the  Division  for  the  third 
time  crossed  the  waste  of  no-man's-land  and  took  its  position 
in  the  woods  about  Gesnes  and  Cierges,  as  reserve  of  the  Fifth 
Army  Corps,  for  what  was  destined  to  be  the  last  phase  of  the 
battle  and  of  the  war. 

Operations  of  the  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade. — The 
interval  between  the  \nthdrawal  of  the  Division  on  October 
11th  and  its  reappearance  on  the  field  October  31st  embraced 
the  second  phase  of  the  Meuse-Argonne  Battle.  It  consisted 
of  efforts,  at  all  parts  of  the  line,  to  gain  points  of  vantage 
with  a  view  to  securing  a  suitable  line  of  departure  for  a 
renewed  general  assault.  Some  progress  was  made  and  at 
times  the  fighting  was  severe.  Throughout  this  period  the 
1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  including  the  1st  Ammunition 
Train,  remained  with  the  42d  Division  to  continue  the  action. 
Though  the  men  were  M^orn  and  nerve-racked,  though  the 
gims  showed  the  wear  of  extensive  firing,  though  serious 
casualties  had  been  sustained  and  though  a  large  percentage 
of  the  horses  had  been  killed  or  had  died  and  the  remainder 
were  emaciated  from  exposure  and  overwork,  this  superb 
command  accepted  the  new  task  without  sign  of  murmur  or 
complaint.  With  undiminished  firing  schedules,  it  helped 
to  sustain  the  battle  and  prepared  to  cover  the  approaching 
assault  with  the  same  skill  and  devotion  that  it  had  given 
unstintedly  to  its  own  infantry.  Indeed  it  was  destined  to 
remain  in  action  or  advancing  until  the  armistice  silenced 
its  guns. 


I  pper:  Apropl.-ini'  viowof  military  pontoon  bridge  aoross  the  Kliiiie  Rivpi'  at  Honningfn, 

Germany,  l)iiilt  by  1st  Ensint'er-''.  First  Division. 
Lower:    First  Division  soldier  keeping  "Watr-h  on  the  lUiine"  at  Colil(>nz,  (lermany, 

l)eeeml>er,  1!)IS. 


THE   FIRST   DIVISION   RESUMES   BATTLE  221 

During  the  night  of  October  llth-12th  the  3d  Battalion, 
5th  Field  Artillery,  advanced  to  the  vicinity  of  Exermont. 
On  the  night  of  October  15th  the  1st  Battalion  moved  to  the 
ravine  east  of  Fleville.  On  October  21st  the  2d  Battalion 
advanced  to  the  second  ravine  north  of  Fleville,  and  on 
October  25th  the  3d  Battalion  moved  again  to  the  cover  of 
Hill  272. 

The  67th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  of  the  42d  Division 
came  into  line  on  the  night  of  October  13th-14th.  It  is  safe 
to  say  that  these  two  brigades  had  no  superiors,  as  field 
artillery,  in  all  Europe,  and,  with  their  united  support,  the 
progress  of  the  42d  Division  seemed  doubly  assured. 

On  the  mornings  of  October  14th  and  16th  the  1st  Field 
Artillery  Brigade  fired  to  cover  attacks  ordered  by  the  Corps, 
against  the  St.  Georges-Landres  ct  St.  Georges  section  of  the 
Kriemhildc  Stellung.  On  the  evening  of  October  16th  the 
brigade  received  relief  orders  and  some  of  the  batteries  had 
proceeded  as  far  as  Cheppy,  when  the  orders  were  revoked 
and  they  returned  to  their  old  positions.-  This  was  most 
depressing  to  the  men,  whose  hopes  had  been  raised  by  the 
vision  of  billets,  rest  and  hot  food,  but,  with  characteristic 
fortitude,  they  resumed  their  barrage  guard  and  executed 
their  normal  missions.  The  High  Command  was  already 
preparing  to  blast  the  enemy  from  his  last  stronghold  on 
November  1st  and  the  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  was  selected 
to  take  its  part  in  this  operation.  In  the  course  of  preparation, 
the  light  regiments  were  advanced  to  the  woods  and  valleys 
of  the  Cote  de  Alaldah  and  the  accumulation  of  ammunition 
warned  the  men  that  some  great  event  was  impending. 
Their  last  ounce  of  strength  and  their  utmost  skill  would  be 
required.  In  order  to  refresh  and  rest  them,  the  Corps,  on 
October  23d,  ordered  the  personnel  to  withdraw  to  Cheppy, 
leaving  their  guns  in  position  with  skeleton  detachments. 
Here  the}'  could  bathe  and  change  clothing  and  could  re- 
cuperate through  sleep  and  hot  food.  The  men  were  further 
cheered  by  a  ceremony  on  the  evening  of  October  23d  in 
celebration  of  the  anniversary  of  the  firing  of  the  first  American 

2  War  Diary,  .5th  Field  Artillery. 


222  mSTUllY    OF   'I'lll']    MUSI'    DIVISION 

shot  in  the  war  l^y  Battery  C,  6th  Field  Artillery.  On  October 
25th  the  regiments  returned  to  their  guns  and  prepared  for 
their  missions  in  the  approaching  assault. 

The  First  Division  in  Corps  Reserve. — When  the  First 
Division  took  up  its  reserve  position,  the  2d  Division  was 
occupying  the  zone  of  action  corresponding  to  that  which 
the  Fii'st  Di\dsion  had  occupied  in  the  first  phase  of  the 
battle,  as  the  left  division  of  the  Fifth  Corps.  Its  front 
extended  from  a  point  one  kilometer  south  of  St.  Georges 
to  the  northern  edge  of  the  Cote  de  Chatillon,  where  the 
line  had  been  advanced  by  the  84th  Brigade  of  the  42d  Divi- 
sion. The  right  zone  of  the  Corps  front  was  occupied  by 
the  89th  Division,  which  held  the  northern  edge  of  tlie 
Bois  de  Bantheville  to  a  point  one  kilometer  west  of  Le  Carre 
Farm. 

For  the  attack  of  November  1st  the  following  artillery 
had  been  concentrated  to  support  each  division: 


2d  Divi 

sion : 

89th  Division: 

144, 

75-mm.  guns. 

128, 

77-mm.  guns. 

104, 

155-mm.  guns. 

76, 

155-mm.  howitzers. 

8, 

8-in.  howitzers. 

16, 

8-in.  howitzers. 

12, 

105-mm.  guns. 

20, 

105-mm.  guns. 

12, 

155-mm.  guns. 

8, 

155-mm.  guns. 

4, 

6-in.  trench  mortars. 

4, 

6-in.  trench  mortars. 

Total, 

284 

guns. 

Total,  252  guns. 

In  addition,  seventy-two  155-mm.  guns  were  assigned 
to  the  Corps  front,  making  a  total  of  six  hundred  and  eight 
guns  of  all  calibers,  including  some  of  the  best  American 
brigades.^  The  thoughtful  reader  will  not  fail  to  compare 
this  concentration  of  artillery  with  the  one  hundred  and  eight 
guns  of  all  calibers  that  were  at  the  disposal  of  the  First 
Division  during  its  gigantic  struggle  from  October  4th  to  lUh. 

The  assault  was  to  be  prepared  by  a  fii-e  for  destruction 
of  two  hotn-s.  The  barrage  plan  was  so  constructed  that 
throughout  the  advance  the  entire  Corps  front,  of  more  than 
eight  kilometers,  would  be  covered  by  a  sh(U't  of  shell,  shrajinel 
and  bullets  to  a  depth  of  twelve  hundred  meters.      To  this 

5  Artillorv  Plan,  .">th  Corps,  Operations  '),  October  29,  lillS. 


THE    FIRST   DIVISION    RESU1\II<;S    T'.A1^1T.E  221] 

lire  was  tickkHl  thai  of  all  i.li(>  luacliiiK^  guns  of  tlireo  divisions. 
During  the  preliminary  boniliardnieat  and  the  advance, 
every  known  enemy  battery  and  machine  gun  was  to  l)e 
silenced.  It  was  determined  to  press  the  battle  with  des- 
peration, and,  in  case  obstacles  were  encountered  by  either 
division  in  line,  that  it  could  not  o^^ercome,  the  First  Divi- 
sion was  to  pass  through  it  to  the  assault. 

At  3:30  A.  M.,  November  1st,  the  preliminary  bombard- 
ment began  with  a  maximum  intensity.  Everj^  known  enemy 
battery  was  deluged  with  gas  and  shell  from  at  least  two 
heavy  guns  or  howitzers.  Every  machine  gun  position  was 
smashed  by  the  heavy  calibers,  and  his  trenches  and  com- 
munications were  smothered  by  a  sheet  of  machine  gun 
bullets  and  of  shell  and  shrapnel  from  the  light  gims.  At 
5:30  A.  M.  the  barrage,  containing  one-fourth  smoke  shell, 
dropped  and  stood  for  five  minutes,  after  which  it  moved 
at  rates  varying  with  the  nature  of  the  ground  and  the  ob- 
structions encountered  by  the  infantry.  This,  however, 
was  no  ordinary  barrage  consisting  of  a  single  line  of  bursts 
such  as  the  limited  number  of  guns  had  been  able  heretofore 
to  furnish  the  First  Division.  One  hundred  and  fifty  meters 
in  front  of  the  infantry  was  a  line  of  bursting  shell.  Two 
hundred  meters  in  front  of  the  shell  was  a  line  of  shrapnel 
fired  by  one-third  of  all  the  light  guns.  One  hundred  and 
fifty  meters  beyond  the  shrapnel  was  a  machine  gun  barrage 
of  great  density.  Three  hundred  meters  in  front  of  the 
shrapnel  was  a  line  of  bursts  from  155-mm.  howitzers. 
Beyond  this  were  concentrations  of  155-mm.  guns  and  8-in. 
howitzers.  During  the  advance,  no  shot  from  the  guns  in 
the  Corps  was  fired  at  a  greater  distance  than  one  thousand 
meters  in  front  of  the  infantry,  except  for  counter-batterj'. 
A  wall  of  smoke  shell  concealed  the  flanks  of  the  infantry, 
and  smoke  shell,  mixed  with  high  explosive  shell,  concealed 
the  lines  from  the  enemy's  frontal  view.  As  a  result,  there 
was  a  cyclone  of  bullets  and  steel  moving  inexoraVjly  in  front 
of  the  infantry,  destroying  everything  that  was  exposed 
over  a  distance  of  from  one  thousand  to  twelve  himdred 
meters.     In  order  to  maintain  close  support  of  the  infantry, 


224  1IIS-1"(>I!V    OF    THE    F1I!S|-    I)1\1SI()X 

the  ))att(Ti(\s  inovi^d  foiwiUTl  and  rcsunicfl  tlioir  firing  aocord- 
ing  to  tables  of  tlisplacemcnt.  The  entire  attacf:  i)rogrcs.sed 
on  schedule  time,  and,  at  the  close  of  the  day,  the  infantry 
was  on  the  final  objective  along  the  heights  of  Barricourt, 
more  than  nine  kilometers  from  the  assault  position  of  the 
morning.  The  last  enemy  defense  was  broken  through  and 
the  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  had  participated  in  this 
brilliant  performance. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  imagine  more  complete  effect 
than  that  produced  by  this  classic  assault  of  the  Fifth  Armj^ 
Corps.  Enem^'  machine  guns  were  found  in  their  hidden 
positions  with  belts  inserted  and  not  a  shot  fired.  Artillery 
stood  with  muzzle  covers  on  the  guns  and  piles  of  untouched 
ammunition  about  them.  Here  and  there  a  gun  was  upset 
among  the  bodies  of  the  horses,  drivers,  and  cannoneers.  In 
the  trenches  lay  the  corpses  of  those  who  rose  to  fire  or  who 
resisted  to  the  last.^ 

It  was  not  to  the  liking  of  the  First  Division  that  it 
should  follow  in  the  wake  of  battle  without  taking  anj^  further 
part  than  that  of  affording  a  target  for  the  l^ombing  by  night 
and  the  machine  gunning  by  day  to  which  it  was  subjected 
by  the  enemy's  daring  a^dators.  The  leading  di\'isions, 
flushed  by  their  brilliant  victor}',  had  no  intention  of  allowing 
themselves  to  be  relieved  and  pressed  their  advantage  night 
and  day.  The  First  Division  kept  close  on  tlieir  heels,  and 
the  arrival  of  its  headquarters  at  the  post  of  command  of 
a  division  in  the  line  was  taken  as  a  signal  for  the  latter  to 
move  forward.  Thus,  the  early  morning  of  November  1st 
found  the  First  Division  marching  through  the  Bois  de 
Romagne  and  the  troops  halted  for  the  night  at  Landre\dlle. 
On  November  2d  the  advance  elements  reached  Chennery. 
The  next  day  they  bivouacked  in  the  Bois  de  Folie  east  of 
Buzancy."^ 

While  the  Division  was  thus  preparing  to  re-enter  the 
line  of  battle,  the  day  was  being  signalized  not  far  away  by 
an    observance   that   had    more   than    passing   significance. 

*  Verbal  statemonts  of  commanding  officers. 

'  F.  O.  Nos.  56,  57,  58  and  59,  First  Division,  1918. 


The  Lorraine  Monument 


220  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DRTSION 

November  •Ul  was  the  uiiiiivc'ivsury  i)f  tlie  day  in  11)17  when  the 
first  lives  were  sticrificed  by  the  Division  and  by  the 
American  Army  in  the  gnuit  \\:iv  i'ov  humanity.  'I'hc  ])eople 
of  Lorraine  had  erected  over  the  graves  of  these  heroes,  at 
Bathelemont,  a  monument  loearini"'  the  arms  of  Lorraine  and 
the  followinji  inscription: 

Here  in  Lorraine  earth  rest  the  three  first  American  soldiers  who 
were  killed  in  view  of  the  enemy  on  the  3d  of  November,  1917.  Cor- 
poral James  R.  (iresham  (from  Evansville),  Private  Thomas  F.  Enright 
(from  Pittsburgh),  Private  Merle  D.  Hay  (from  (ilidden),  all  of  F  Com- 
pany, 16th  Infantry,  First  Division.  As  worthy  sons  of  this  great  and 
noble  Nation,  they  have  fought  for  Justice,  Liberty  and  Civilization 
against  (ierman  Imperialism,  the  scourge  of  mankind.  Thej'  dieil  on 
the  field  of  honor. 

The  dedication  took  place  November  3d,  and,  on  account 
of  the  actiA'ity  of  the  sector  on  that  front,  the  exercises  were 
held  at  Nancy.  Distinguished  civilian  and  military  person- 
ages of  France  and  America  were  present.  Soldiers  from 
the  16th  Infantry,  to  which  these  first  sacrifices  belonged, 
represented  the  Regiment  and  the  Division. 

At  dusk  of  November  4th  the  Division  was  in  the  Bois 
de.  Belval,  in  close  sup]Jort  of  the  2d  Division.  By  their 
rapid  jjrogress  the  divisions  of  the  Fifth  Corps  had  severed 
liaison  with  the  troops  on  their  left.  The  First  Di\ision, 
therefore,  moved  along  the  left  of  the  Corps  zone  and  at 
5:00  A.M.,  November  5th,  the  26th  Infantry  deployed  along 
the  northern  edge  of  the  Foret  de  Dieulet  to  protect  the  left 
flank  of  the  Corps.*' 

The  roads  were  churned  to  a  mire,  and. bivouacs  were 
on  wet,  soggy  ground.  Again  the  ine^itable  road  jams  became 
a  source  of  concern  and  danger.  The  heavy  tractor  artillery 
converted  the  lightly  surfaced  roads  into  ditches  and  the 
cumbersome  caterpillars  were  compelled  to  make  long  halts 
in  negotiating  the  narrow  village  streets,  thus  stopping  all 
traffic.  Miles  of  trucks  carrying  supplies  and  ammunition 
would  become  paralyzed  for  hours  l\y  the  stalKng  of  a  single 
one  in  a  slough  or  ditch.     The  regiments  were  thus  forced  to 

« F.  O.  No.  (■)!,  First  Division,  1918. 


THE   FIRST   DIVISION   RESUMES  BATTLE  227 

march  over  the  rough,  boggy  fields,  and  the  exertion  was 
exhausting.  Typical  of  their  spirit  was  the  body  of  a  soldier 
that  was  later  found  seated  in  death  near  the  trail  made  by 
his  regiment.  He  was  fully  equipped  with  his  rifle  and  pack 
and  liis  face  was  turned  in  the  direction  that  his  comrades 
had  gone.  He  had  reached  the  end  of  his  strength  and  the 
journey  of  life,  and,  when  his  body  failed,  his  thoughts  went 
on  ^vith  the  living  whose  company  he  could  no  longer  keep. 

The  First  Division  Again  Enters  the  Line. — Between 
2:00  and  3:00  p.  m.,  November  5th,  the  First  Division  received 
orders  by  telephone  from  the  Fifth  Corps  to  relieve  the  80th 
Division  of  the  First  Corps  along  the  Stonne-Beaumont 
road  and  to  attack  in  the  direction  of  Mouzon  at  5:30  a.m., 
November  6th  (Map  X).  This  meant  a  hard  march  on  a 
dark  and  wet  night  over  muddy  roads;  the  relief  of  another 
division  without  any  reconnaissance  of  its  position;  and  an 
assault  before  daybreak  the  following  morning.  Nevertheless, 
the  Division  marched  at  4:00  p.  m.  and  reached  its  line  of 
departure  by  4:00  a.m.,  November  6th.  The  front  occupied 
extended  from  Beaumont  to  La  Besace  over  a  distance  of 
six  kilometers.  The  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  which  had 
continued  to  support  the  2d  Division,  was  in  position  near 
Nouart,  November  4th,  and  it  rejoined  the  First  Division 
November  5th.  The  losses  in  horses  had  been  so  great  that 
a  part  of  the  caissons  in  each  battery  had  been  left  behind 
near  Landreville.  The  2d  Brigade  was  on  the  right  with  the 
2d  and  the  1st  Battalions  of  the  26th  Infantry  in  line  from 
right  to  left  and  the  3d  Battalion  in  support.  The  28th 
Infantry  was  in  brigade  reserve.  The  line  was  extended  to 
the  left  by  the  18th  Infantry  with  the  1st  Battahon  in  line, 
the  3d  in  support  and  the  2d  in  Division  reserve.  On  the  left 
was  the  16th  Infantry  with  the  1st  Battalion  in  line,  the 
2d  in  support  and  the  3d  in  brigade  reserve.  Each  bat- 
talion was  again  accompanied  by  the  machine  gun  company 
which  had  virtually  been  a  part  of  it  in  all  the  previous 
operations.  In  addition  to  the  2d  Battalion,  18th  Infantry, 
the  1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion  and  the  1st  Engineers  were 
in   the  Division   reserve.      The   1st   Field   Artillery  Brigade 


228  HISTORY  OF   THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

occupied  positions  to  support  the  attack  with  the  7th  Field 
Artillery  near  Beaumont  and  the  6th  Field  Artillery  on  the 
left.  Accompanying  guns  were  designated  for  the  assault 
battalions.  The  5th  Field  Artillery  covered  the  front  of  the 
Division. 

The  eastern  boundary  of  the  zone  of  action  was  the  line 
Beaumont- Villemontry,  and  the  western  boundary  the  hne 
from  La  Bagnolle,  southeast  of  La  Besace,  along  the  western 
edge  of  the  Bois  de  Yoncq  to  the  eastern  edge  of  Autrecourt. 
This  placed  Mouzon  at  the  center  of  the  objective  line  along 
the  Meuse  River.  With  an  impatience  born  of  daj's  of  waiting, 
the  troops  dashed  forward.  Yoncq  was  in  the  hands  of  the 
18th  Infantry  by  7:00  a.m.  All  regiments  overcame  the 
resistance  encountered  and  by  noon  they  were  on  their  objec- 
tives along  the  Meuse  River,  having  covered  a  distance  of 
more  than  six  kilometers.  The  First  Division  encountered 
here  elements  of  the  31st,  52d,  41st,  236th,  10th  and  115th 
German  Divisions.'''  The  portion  of  Mouzon  on  the  west  bank 
of  the  Meuse  River  was  occupied  by  the  18th  Infantry  and 
patrols  from  the  26th  Infantry  after  sharp  fighting.  As  the 
advance  patrols  were  approaching  the  bridge  at  this  place,  it 
was  blown  up.  At  the  same  time,  mines  exploded  about  the 
town  on  both  sides  of  the  river  and  the  buildings  were  soon  in 
flames.  The  enemy's  machine  guns  and  artillcrj^  poured  a 
violent  fire  into  the  to^\Ti  and  the  troops  suffered  a  number 
of  casualties. 

[The  van  of  the  26th  Infantr}^  had  a  brisk  encounter  in 
Villemontry  before  the  town  could  be  cleared.^  Throughout 
the  advance  and  the  fighting  in  the  towns,  the  hostile  artillery 
on  the  heights  of  the  Meuse  maintained  an  effective  fire  upon 
aU  exposed  elements.  |  The  6th  and  7th  Field  Artillery  and 
the  1st  Battalion,  5th  Field  Artillery,  followed  closelj^  behind 
the  infantry  and  went  into  position  near  Yoncq. 

The  casualties  during  the  advance  and  occupation  of  the 
river  line  were : 

'  Enemy  order  of  battle,  Headquarters  First  Army  and  G.  H.  Q. 
'  Report,  First  Division,  November  26,  1918. 


THE   FIRST   DIVISION   RESUMES   BATTLE  229 

Killed  or  died  of  wounds 2  officers,  127  men 

Wounded 5  officers,  218  men 

Prisoners 2  men 

Total 7  officers,  347  men' 

Sedan,  the  Goal. — The  Meuse-Argonne  offensive  had 
rapidly  passed  into  open  warfare  and  the  First  Division  was 
at  last  ]-ealizing  the  necessity  for  long-sustained  marches  and 
maneuvers  for  which  the  troops  had  been  prepared.  The 
complete  system  of  communications  that  had  been  main- 
tained in  the  sectors  and  the  early  stages  of  the  great  battle 
ceased  to  exist.  All  posts  of  command  in  the  Division  were 
advanced  to  the  proximity  of  the  troops.  No  sooner  had  the 
telephone  lines  of  the  Corps  reached  Division  Headquarters 
tlian  the  hnemen  would  be  thrown  into  despair  by  the  forward 
movement  of  the  staff.  In  the  same  way,  liaison  with  neigh- 
boring divisions  had  become  increasingly  difficult  as  the  front 
extended  with  the  diminishing  resistance.  At  last,  on  Novem- 
ber 6th,  all  elements  were  reduced  to  the  primitive  method 
of  couriers  to  transmit  orders  and  to  gain  information.  Over 
the  rough  and  broken  country  this  proved  a  slow  and  tedious 
process.  The  location  of  the  2d  Division  on  the  right  was 
known,  but  contact  had  never  been  regained  with  the  First 
Corps  on  tlie  left  and  no  troops  of  that  command  had  been 
located  since  the  Division  re-entered  the  line.  The  Division 
had,  however,  kept  strictly  within  its  prescribed  boundaries 
and  had  taken  measures  to  protect  its  left  flank. 

Shortly  after  noon  on  November  6th  the  Commanding 
General  of  the  Fifth  Corps  arrived  at  the  Headquarters  of 
the  First  Division,  which  was  located  in  an  old  prison  camp 
at  La  Gros  Faux.  He  handed  the  Division  Commander  a 
copy  of  the  following  order  from  the  Headquarters,  First 
American  Army: 

Memorandum  for  Commanding  Generals,  1st  Corps,  5th  Corps. 
Subject:  Message  from  the  Commander-in-Chief. 

1.     General  Pershing  desires  that  the  honor  of  entering  Sedan  should 
fall  to  the  First  American  Army.    He  has  every  confidence  that  the  troops 

'  Casualty  Records,  First  Division. 


2;'.()  iiisi'()i;v  OK  Till':  fii;si-  dinision 

of  tlio  ls(  ('()rj)s,  ;issisl<'<l  (Ui  llii'ir  rijilil   liy  llic  Tjlti  f'orps,  will  on;ililc  liiiii 
lo  realize  this  desire. 

2.  In  transmitfiiifi  llie  foref^oinj;  message,  your  attention  is  invited 
to  the  favorable  opportunity  now  existing',  for  piessing  our  advantage 
tlu'oughout  the  night.    Boundaries  will  not  be  considered  binding. 

Bj'  command  of  Lieutenant  General  Liggett. 

The  Corps  Commander  directed  the  Divi.sioii  Commander 
to  march  upon  Sedan  and  to  assist  in  captiu-ing  the  place  the 
following  morning.  The  German  communiques  had  already 
acknowledged  that  the  line  was  broken  in  front  of  the  First 
American  Ai-my.  Sedan  was  only  seven  and  one-half  miles 
from  the  French-Belgian  border  and  its  possession  ^\•ould 
not  only  complete  the  victory  which  had  been  won  at  such 
a  cost  in  blood,  l^ut  the  effect  of  its  possession  would  be  dis- 
astrous to  the  eneniA^'s  morale.  It  was  evident  that  the 
High  Command  recognized  that  the  moment  had  arrived  to 
push  the  advantage  by  every  possil^le  means  and  the  troops 
were  given  independence  of  action,  proportionate  to  the 
emergency.  Here,  if  ever,  was  required  initiative  and  daring 
on  the  part  of  leaders  and  fortitude  and  endiu-ance  on  the 
part  of  troops.  The  Fii'st  Division  was  in  a  peculiarly  advan- 
tageous position  to  respond  to  the  demand  and,  like  the  arrow 
in  the  drawn  bow,  it  needed  only  to  be  released.  Conscious 
of  its  own  high  purpose  and  guided  by  the  spirit  of  co-opera- 
tion and  helpfulness  that  had  been  a  distinguishing  quality 
of  the  DiA-ision,  it  accepted  its  mission  with  eagerness.  After 
reading  the  order  and  hearing  a  few  words  of  explanation  as 
to  the  intentions  of  the  Corps,  the  Division  Commander,  with 
characteristic  resolution,  said:  "T  understand,  sir.  T  will 
now  give  my  orders." 

The  problem  that  confronted  him  was  that  of  the  forma- 
tion in  which  the  advance  and  the  subsequent  attack  should 
be  made.  It  was  manifestly  impossible  to  move  at  night, 
except  along  roads.  By  vising  the  best  routes  available,  the 
Division  would  be  taxed  to  the  limit  of  human  endurance  to 
accomplish  its  mission.  Two  courses  of  action  were  available. 
The  Division  might  move  by  the  left  flank  down  the  vall(>y 
of  the  Meuse  and  force  its  wav  over  a  narrow  front  to  the 


THE   FIRST   DIVISION    RESUMES   BATTLE  231 

high  ground  southwest  of  Sedan.  In  this  case,  both  flanks 
would  be  exposed  and  the  regiments  would  be  unable  to  make 
a  timely  deployment  should  it  become  necessary  to  engage 
the  entire  force  of  the  Division,  as  was  to  be  expected  from 
all  previous  experience. 

The  other  alternative  was  to  have  the  columns  march 
on  a  wide  front  and  arrive  on  the  hills  southwest  of  the  city, 
ready  to  deploy  promptly  at  any  time  for  an  attack.  The 
latter  course  was  chosen,  and  all  available  roads  were  necessary 
for  the  movement. 

The  brigade  commanders  were  immediately  assembled 
at  Division  Headquarters  and  preliminary  orders  were  given. 
Formal  orders  were  iss;ied  as  promptly  as  possible  and  sent 
to  the  subordinate  units.  At  the  same  time,  liaison  officers 
were  sent  to  inform  other  troops  of  the  proposed  movement 
and  to  link  the  Division  to  them.  One  officer  was  sent  to 
the  First  Corps  Headquarters,  arriving  there  at  9:00  p.  m. 
Another  officer  was  sent  to  the  Headquarters  of  the  6th 
Division,  which  was  reported  to  be  the  right  division  of  the 
First  Corps,  arriving  there  at  about  6:30  p.  m.  A  third  officer 
was  sent  to  the  2d  Division  and  established  liaison  with  the 
left  brigade  of  that  division.'" 

The  march  was  ordered  in  five  columns  as  follows,  from 
east  to  west : 

Column  1 :  1st  Battalion,  16th  Infantry,  by  the  road  Autrecourt- 
Romilly-Wadelincourt. 

Column  2:  Ittth  Infantry  (less  one  battalion)  and  Company  A,  1st 
Engineers,  by  the  road  Pourron-Autrecourt-Raucourt-Haracourt-Thelonne- 
Noyers. 

Column  3:  18th  Infantry  (less  one  battalion)  by  the  road  Pourron- 
Autrecourt-Raucourt-Maisoncelle-Bulson-Chaumont,  thence  north. 

Column  4 :  28th  Infantry  and  Company  D,  1st  Engineers,  by  the  road 
Stonne-Chemery-C'hehery-Frenois. 

Column  5:  26th  Infantry,  by  the  road  Stonne-Chemery-Omicourt- 
Hannagne-St.  Martin. 

The  Division  reserve,  consisting  of  the  2d  Battalion,  18th 
Infantry,  the  1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion  and  the  1st  Engineers 
(less  two  companies)  was  a,ssigned  to  tlie  road  La  Besace- 

'°  Letter  from  Division  Coiiiinander,  November  8,  1918. 


2:i2  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Raucourt,  and  then  to  follow  the  second  column  at  a  distance 
of  one  kilometer. 

The  6th  Field  Artillery  was  ordered  to  follow  the  18th 
Infantry,  and  the  7th  Field  Artillery  to  follow  the  28th 
Infantry.  A  battahon  of  the  5th  Field  Ai-tillery  was  to 
follow  each  of  Columns  2,  3  and  4.^' 

The  regiments  assembled  by  dark  and  the  advance 
commenced  between  7 :00  and  8 :00  p.  m.  The  runner  who  bore 
the  WTitten  order  to  the  platoon  of  the  26th  Infantry  in 
Villemontry  was  killed  l^efore  he  could  deUver  his  message. 
The  platoon  commander,  upon  receiving  a  verbal  order  from 
the  neighboring  troops,  refused  to  withdraw,  saying  that  it 
was  a  mistake  and  adding,  with  characteristic  spirit,  "The 
First  Division  never  gives  up  anj'  ground  that  it  has  taken." 

The  sufferings  of  that  night  march  will  remain  one  of  the 
most  memorable  of  the  war's  horrors.  The  men  were  already 
worn  physically  and  mentall}'.  Again  the  rain  soaked  their 
heavy  packs  and  made  the  destroyed  roads  even  more  muddj^ 
for  the  weary  and  sore  feet.  Progress  A\as  slow  in  the  darkness 
and  the  craving  for  sleep  was  overiDowering.  In  the  streets 
of  the  towns  there  was  fighting  at  close  quarters.  Columns 
forced  their  way  througli  and  left  detachments  to  mop  them 
up.  At  every  turn,  the  enemy  was  surprised  by  the  appear- 
ance of  the  Americans  during  that  night  of  wildness  and  stress. 

The  1st  Battalion,  16th  Infantry,  met  resistance  from 
the  moment  of  its  departure.  It  suffered  especially  from 
machine  gun  fire  north  of  Remilly.  There  was  violent  street 
fighting  in  AUicourt,  which  was  reached  at  3:30  a.  m.  Pont 
Maugis  was  taken  at  4:30  a.m.,  and  a  number  of  prisoners, 
one  77-mm.  gun  and  some  transport  were  captured.  The 
second  column  of  the  16th  Infantrj'  met  heavj'  machine  gun 
fire  at  Thelonne,  where  it  remained  until  7:30  a.  m.  It  then 
advanced  to  Noyers  and  estabhshed  connection  with  the  1st 
Battalion.  The  1st  and  2d  Battalions  then  assaulted  Hill  252, 
where  they  met  severe  machine  gun  and  artiller}-  fire.  The 
line  passed  over  the  hill,  and,  by  11 :00  a.  m.,  the  16th  Infantry 
was  organized  in  the  w'oods  north  of  Hill  252.     Just  as  the 

"  F.  O.  No.  62,  First  Division,  1918. 


THE  FIRST  DIVISION   RESUMES   BATTLE  233 

attack  began,  elements  of  the  42d  Division  were  discovered 
approacliing  Thelonne.  With  the  true  spirit  of  co-operation, 
a  battaUon  commander  sent  two  runners  to  the  command- 
ing officer  of  the  16th  Infantry  to  maintain  Haison  in  case 
assistance  was  needed  to  repel  a  counter-attack.  The 
position  gained  by  the  16th  Infantry  was  the  nearest  point 
to  Sedan  reached  by  any  American  unit.  After  the  Infantry 
had  passed  over  Hill  252  the  Germans  returned  to  Pont 
Maugis  and  were  met  by  Company  A,  1st  Engineers,  who 
fought  throughout  the  morning  before  the  town  was  com- 
pletely cleared. 

The  18th  Infantry  arrived  at  Bulson  at  5:30  a.  m.,  Novem- 
ber 7th,  where  it  met  elements  of  the  42d  Division.  Upon 
learning  of  its  presence,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  halt 
north  of  the  town. 

The  28th  Infantry  came  upon  troops  of  the  42d  Division 
between  Connage  and  Chehery.  The  regiment  reached  the 
latter  town  at  7:40  a.m.  and  found  more  troops  of  the  42d 
Division  and  elements  of  the  Foiu'th  French  Army.  After 
passing  the  town,  the  3d  Battalion  deployed  and  advanced 
to  attack  Hill  297.  The  troops  were  continually  under  fire 
from  enemy  machine  guns  in  the  Bois  la  Queue  and  Bois  de 
la  Marfee.  Upon  reaching  the  road  running  east  from 
Chevenges,  it  was  found  that  the  166th  Infantry  of  the  42d 
Division  was  dug  in  along  this  road  between  Chevenges  and 
the  National  road  from  Chehery.  On  account  of  the  fire 
from  the  Bois  de  la  Marfee,  Company  A,  28th  Infantry, 
advanced  through  the  wood  and  cleared  the  western  edge. 
It  then  connected  with  the  3d  Battalion,  which  in  its  attack 
had  advanced  well  up  the  southern  slope  of  the  hill.'- 

In  the  meantime.  Division  Headquarters  learned  that  the 
enemy's  positions  east  of  the  Meuse  were  strongly  fortified 
with  artillery  and  machine  guns.  It  was  therefore  decided 
not  to  pass  the  crests  of  the  hills  until  night.  Orders  were  sent 
for  the  attack  to  cease,  and,  at  11:00  a.m.,  the  five  companies 
of  the  28th  Infantry  dug  in,  half  way  up  the  southern  slope  of 
Hill  297.''' 

'2  Report,  First  Division,  November  25,  1918. 
"  War  Diary,  2Sth  Infantry. 


234  HISTORY  UF   THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

The  Division  Commander  and  Staff,  while  approaching 
Chehery  at  about  8:00  a.m.,  came  under  fire  from  the  west 
side  of  the  Bar  River.  Division  Headquarters  was  estabUshed 
in  Chehery,  which  was  constantly  under  shell  fire  during  the 
day."     The  7th  Field  Artillery  reached  Chehery  before  noon. 

The  26th  Infantry,  exhausted  from  jilodding  all  night 
through  the  darkness  and  the  mud,  reached  Chemery  cai-ly 
on  the  morning  of  November  7th,  where  it  came  under  artillery 
fire  and  sufft^red  some  casualties.  At  7:00  a.  m.  it  approached 
Omicourt  and  foimd  the  enemy  occupying  the  heights  beyond 
with  machine  guns  and  infantry.  Artillery  fire  was  also 
severe.  The  3d  Battalion,  which  had  been  in  support,  took 
the  lead  and,  after  a  short  engagement,  dislodged  the  enemy. 
The  1st  Battalion  in  tiu-n  passed  through  the  3d  Battalion 
and  continued  the  attack  toward  St.  Aignan.  Patrols  passed 
around  the  town  of  St.  Aignan,  which  was  being  heavily 
shelled,  and  penetrated  the  woods  beyond.  Contact  was 
made  with  elements  of  the  40tli  French  Division  at  Omicourt 
and  close  liaison  existed  between  tlie  ti'oops  f)f  the  two  forces. 
The  order  suspending  the  advance  reached  the  regiment  at 
this  time  and  the  troops  dug  in  at  5:30  p.  m.'^ 

The  accident  of  i-oads,  the  removal  of  sector  boundaries, 
the  persistence  of  the  American  advance  and  the  unexpected 
feeble  resistance  of  the  (>nemy  had  brought  together,  over  a 
front  of  about  eight  kilometers,  the  First  and  42d  American 
Divisions  and  the  40th  French  Division,  none  of  which  knew 
of  the  proximity  of  the  others  until  they  met.  Among  the 
troops,  the  presence  of  each  unit  was  thoroughly  welcome 
and  only  the  most  cordial  spirit  of  c()mrad(\ship  and  co-opera- 
tion prevailed.  If  an  assault  was  to  be  made  on  Sedan,  there 
were  none  too  man}-,  and  all  had  learned  by  experience  the 
value  of  such  assistance  as  each  could  render. 

The  following  German  Divisions  weve  located  opposite 
this  portion  of  the  front  on  November  7th,  from  right  to  left: 
115th,  10th,  236tli,  41st,  52d,  31st,  15th  Bavarian,  103d, 
240th.  203(1,  70th  Reserve,  195th,  202d  and  42d.i« 

"Verbal  stateiiiciit  of  Division  ( 'ojriiriaiiilcr. 

"War  Diary,  -Jdtli  InCarilrv. 

•'Enemy  order  of  liallli',  llcailciuartcrs  First  .\rrii\-  niiil  (1.  II.  Q. 


THE    FlUSr    1)1\1S1(>\    RESUMES    l^.AI"IM.l';  I'M.'. 

The  First  Division  liad  carried  out  the  orders  to  rcvicli 
the  hills  southwest  of  Sedan  and  it  was  ready  to  execute 
the  next  phase,  which  would  place  in  Allied  hands  the  great 
railroad  that  was  the  real  objective  of  the  Meuse-Argonne 
offensive,  as  well  as  the  historic  fortress  of  Sedan. 

About  2:00  p.m.,  November  7th,  the  Commanding 
General,  Fifth  Army  Corps,  reached  the  Headciuarters  of  the 
First  Division  at  Chehery.  Upon  learning  of  the  presence 
of  the  42d  Division,  he  gave  orders  to  move  the  First  Division 
to  the  east  so  as  to  clear  entirely  the  zone  occupied  by  the 
42d  Division.  Upon  reaching  the  rear  echelon  of  the  Fii'st 
Division  Headquarters  at  Chehery,  at  about  3:00  p.m.,  the 
Corps  Commander  was  handed  a  wireless  message  from  the 
Headquarters,  First  American  Army,  directing  that  the  First 
Division  withdraw  south  of  the  line  La  Besace-Autrccourt. 
This  was  transmitted  to  the  Division  Commander,  and  at 
3:30  p.  M.  orders  were  discussed  prescribing  the  details  for  the 
movement.  By  5:30  P.M.  all  units  were  en  route  to  the 
designated  area.  On  the  afternoon  of  November  7th  Divi- 
sion Headquarters  was  re-established  at  Le  Gros  Faux.'' 
During  the  night,  the  troops  arrived  at  their  bivouacs  in  the 
woods  in  the  vicinity  of  Yoncq. 

Between  4:30  p.  m.,  November  5th,  and  midnight,  No- 
vember 7th,  the  Division  had  marched  or  fought  without 
sleep  or  rest.  The  16th  Infantry  had  covered  fifty-four 
kilometers,  the  18th  Infantry  fifty-three  kilometers,  the 
26th  Infantry  seventy-one  kilometers  and  the  28th  Infantry 
fift3'-two  kilometers.  The  other  units  had  marched  in  pro- 
portion. At  last  they  were  able  to  throw  their  weary  bodies 
on  the  muddj^  ground  and  feel  the  luxury  of  rest  and  sleep. 

The  form  and  spirit  with  which  the  Division  executed 
its  final  tasks  were  worthy  of  its  highest  standards.  Among 
the  outstanding  features  of  the  operation  wei'e  the  speed  of 
execution,  the  endurance  of  the  personnel  and  the  confidence 
between  superiors  and  subordinates  that  produced  instant 
and  understanding  response. 

The  captures  in  this  last  operation  included  fifty-four 
prisoners,  one  77-mm.   gun.  two  anti-tank  guns,  a  number 

"  War  Diary,  First  Division  and  rep;iments. 


236  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   UIN'ISION 

of  machine  guns,  four  rolliiifi;  kitchens  and  some  transport 
and  small  stores.'^ 

Th<^  casualties  suffered  were: 

Killed  01"  died  of  wounds 1  officer,      73  men 

Wounded 9  officers,  404  men 

Missing 4  men 

Prisoners 15  men 


Total 10  officers,  490  men' 


'*  Report,  First.  Division,  November  2.5.  1918. 
"  Casualty  Records,  First  Divi.sion. 


CHAPTER  XI 

THE  FRUITS  OF  VICTORY 

The  Armistice. — The  First  Division  was  held  in  Corps 
reserve  pending  tlie  operation  then  in  progress  for  the  forcing 
of  the  Meuse  River  between  Mouzon  and  Pouilly  by  the 
Fifth  Corps.  Food  and  rest  soon  restored  the  strength  of 
the  men,  whose  spirits  had  never  flagged  even  under  the  bodily 
exhaustion  which  they  had  suffered.  On  the  night  of  No- 
vember lOth-llth  the  2d  and  89th  Divisions  crossed  the 
Meuse  and  estabUshed  bridgeheads  at  Mouzon  and  Pouilly 
preparatory  for  the  Fifth  Corps  to  continue  the  advance. 

On  the  morning  of  Novem]:)er  11th  the  following  mes- 
sage came  announcing  the  armistice  and  ordering  firing  to 
cease  at  11:00  a.  m.: 

Official  Radio  from  Paris 

6:01  A.M.,  Nov.  11,  1918 
Marshal  Foch  to  the  Commander-in-Chief. 

1.  Hostilities  will  be  stopped  on  the  entire  front  beginning  at  11 
o'clock,  November  11th  (French  hoiu'). 

2.  The  Allied  troops  will  not  go  beyond  the  line  reached  at  that 
hoiu"  on  that  date  until  further  orders. 

(Signed)     Marshal  Foch. 
5:45  A.  M. 

With  the  elements  of  command  there  was  little  thought 
that  this  would  terminate  the  war,  and  arrangements  were  made 
to  resume  the  offensive  and  complete  the  victory.  It  was  an 
incident  of  the  campaign  and  merely  signified  that  the  inevi- 
table might  be  delayed.  Officers  announed  the  news  to  the 
men,  some  of  whom  were  on  the  march  and  some  in  bivouac. 
To  these  war- tried  veterans,  many  of  whom  had  known 
nothing  for  months  but  the  sound  of  guns  and  the  call  to  l^attle, 
who  had  been  relieved  from  the  front  lines  only  to  prepare  for 
another  "drive,"  and  whose  thoughts  had  been  trained  by 
hardship  and  danger  to  contemjilate  peace  as  something  very 
dim  in  the  past  and  very  remote  in  the  future,  the  tidings 

( 237 ) 


2;i.S  HIS'I'OIIV    OF    THE    FlliST    DlMSloN 

liroiight  a  confusion  of  incredulity  and  wonder.  In  some 
faces  could  be  seen  the  I'eturning  light  of  hoi)es  that  had  seemed 
dead;  of  visions  of  loved  ones  with  whom  they  might  yet  be 
reunited;  and  of  thoughts  of  a  future  that  held  happiness 
and  reward.  In  others,  thei-e  was  the  (juiet  dignity  of  a  cour- 
age and  even  of  a  stoicism  that  had  met  death  without  flincli- 
ing  and  that  could  share  triumph  without  excitement  or  emo- 
tion. {In  strong  contrast  to  the  music,  the  whistles  and  the 
shouting  with  which  even  erroneous  reports  of  peace  had  been 
greeted  and  to  the  unrestrained  rejoicings  with  which  the 
armistice  was  celebrated  in  the  homeland,  there  was  onl}^ 
dignitj'  and  solemnity  among  these  men  whose  sufferings 
and  whose  courage  had  made  it  possible.  All  were  silent  and 
speculated  little  on  the  next  move,  although  it  was  assumed 
that  the  Division  would  continue  to  have  a  place  of  honor 
in  the  program. 

(Fires  could  now  be  lighted  for  tlie  much-needed  warmth, 
regardless  of  the  smoke  and  flame  that  betraj'ed  their  location. 
At  least,  there  were  no  enemy  aviators  to  molest  the  men  and 
no  w'atchful  battejies  to  harass  their  quietude  or  to  disturb 
their  sleep.  At  night  the  woods  were  illuminated  by  the 
l)urning  logs  about  which,  for  the  first  time,  groups  of  men 
gathered  in  friendly  talk  or  stretched  themselves  to  sleep 
without  waking  to  find  their  bodies  numbed  with  cold,  ^^'ith 
the  absence  of  danger,  there  came  complete  relaxation  and 
recuperation,  and  the  vigor  of  naturally  healthy  bodies  was 
restored.  At  the  moment  when  the  whole  \\'orld  was  plague- 
stricken  and  tens  of  thousands  of  people  were  dying  from 
influenza  in  their  comfortable  homes,  these  men,  who  li\ed 
with  no  shelter  but  the  heavens,  enjoyed  a  robustness  of  health 
that  defied  fatigue  and  hunger,  and  exposure  to  cold  and  rain. 
To  them,  the  contagion  was  unknown.  The  days  were  spent 
re-equipjnng  and  refitting  the  Division  in  preparation  for  an}' 
forward  movement. 

/  The  March  to  the  Rhine. — In  accordance  w  itii  the  terms 
of  the  armistice,  the  left  bank  of  the  Rhine  was  to  be  occupiinl 
by  Allied  troo])s,  with  briflgc^heads  at  Cologne,  Coblenz  and 
Mayence.i     The   C'ol)lenz   bridgehead   was    assigned    to  the 


buic;adier  gexep.al  frank  parker 

Commanding  First  Division  from  October  19,  191S,  to  November  20,  1918 


THE   FRUITS    OF    VICTORY  241 

Third  American  Army,  composed  of  veteran  divisions.  On 
November  12th  the  First  Division  marched  southward  and 
bivouacked  in  the  Romagne  woods.  On  November  13th  it 
was  transferred  to  the  Fourth  Corps  as  a  part  of  the  Army  of 
Occupation.  It  moved  to  Malancourt  on  November  14th 
and  on  the  15th  to  Le  Cabaret  Farm,  four  and  one-half  kilo- 
meters east  of  Verdun,  to  take  its  place  in  the  order  of  march. 

It  was  a  fitting  coincidence  that  at  this  time  the  Divi- 
sion insignia  was  adopted  and  first  worn,  as  though  these 
veterans  had  ciuaUficd  for  this  token  of  honor.  The  red  one 
was  the  natural  designation  of  the  Division,  significant  of 
its  blood  and  its  prestige,  and  the  khaki  shield  was  symbolic 
of  the  part  that  had  been  cast  for  it  in  the  American  Ex- 
peditionary Forces.  The  laurel  wreath  about  the  shield  was 
the  emblem  of  its  triumphs. 

At  last,  on  the  morning  of  November  17th,  the  columns 
turned  their  faces  northward  and  the  march  to  the  Rhine 
began.  Proudly  these  conquerors  bore  themselves,  and  their 
hearts  beat  high  with  the  consciousness  that  through  their 
sufferings  they  had  helped  to  bring  peace  to  the  world. 
Stretching  as  far  as  the  eye  could  see  came  the  dense  masses  of 
splendid  infantry  with  steel  helmets  and  full  packs  and  with 
the  neat  uniforms  which  contrasted  strikingly  with  the  be- 
draggled clothing  that  they  had  so  lately  worn  back  from  their 
last  dj'ive.  The  machine  gunners  with  their  mules  and 
neatly  loaded  carts,  the  field  artillery  with  horses,  harness  and 
equipment  abeady  recovering  their  former  standards,  and 
the  miles  of  trains  and  transport,  gave  the  impression  of  power 
and  magnitude  that  thrilled  with  pride  and  inspired  with 
admiration  all  whose  fortune  it  was  to  see  the  beginning  of 
this  great  event. 

The  Division  crossed  the  Meuse  River  near  Verdun  and 
the  scene  throughout  the  day  was  one  of  desolation  and  de- 
struction. Continually  there  passed  columns  of  repatriated 
prisoners,  French,  Russian  and  Italian,  footsore  and  weary. 
Their  half-starved  bodies  and  motley  clothing  did  not  pre- 
vent them  from  smiling  at  their  rescuers,  whose  hearts  went 
out  in  compassion  to  their  less  fortunate  comrades. 


A  First  Division  soldier  on  guard  in  a  famous  castle,  the  ancestral  home  of  the  von  W'al- 
derdees,  where  the  former  Kaiser  frequently  visited,  Molsberg,  Germany 


THE   FRUITS   OF   VICTORY  243 

There  were  no  billets  the  first  night,  but  the  march  of 
November  18th  took  the  troops  to  the  area  of  the  inhabited 
towns.  The  population,  freed  from  years  of  oppression  and 
horror,  welcomed  their  deliverers  with  such  show  of  gratitude 
as  was  possible.  Crudely  constructed  victory  arches  and 
hastily  j^atched  flags  with  stars  and  stripes  varying  accord- 
ing to  the  means  at  hand,  greeted  the  heads  of  the  columns. 
The  mayors  in  full  regalia  and  delegations  of  civil  officials 
expressed  their  welcome  from  full  hearts. 

As  the  march  contini>ed,  it  was  seen  that  on  every  foot  of 
French  soil  the  invader  had  left  the  imprint  of  his  iron  heel. 
The  worn  and  destroyed  roads,  the  wretched  condition  of  the 
people  and  the  sadly  neglected  villages  and  houses  told  of 
oppression  and  privation.  It  'was  therefore  a  ^^•elcome  change 
of  scene  when  on  November  20th  the  columns  for  the  first  time 
since  their  arrival  in  St.  Nazaire  crossed  the  boundary  of 
France.  On  this  day  the  Division  traversed  a  small  section 
of  Lorraine,  passing  through  Aumetz,  and  billeted  for  the 
night  in  Audun-le-Tiche,  where  the  town,  clad  in  holiday 
attire,  greeted  the  Americans  with  a  wildly  excited  joj'  born  of 
their  freedom  from  forty-eight  years  of  bondage.  Tricolors 
that  had  been  concealed  for  years,  appearing  as  if  by  the  touch 
of  a  magician's  wand,  waved  a  welcome  never  to  be  forgotten, 
and  old  musical  instruments  that  had  been  rescued  from 
cellars  and  garrets  tooted  and  drummed  in  joyful  discordant 
notes  the  strains  of  the  "Marseillaise."  The  next  day  the 
Division  entered  the  smiling  and  prosperous  Duchy  of  Luxem- 
burg, where  the  people  welcomed  the  soldiers,  who  were  able 
to  find  billets  with  comfortable  beds  instead  of  lofts  and  stables 
that  had  constituted  their  lodgings  in  France.  During  the 
next  two  days  all  commands  proceeded  across  this  small 
state  and  halted  until  December  1st  to  wait  for  the  prescribed 
time  for  entering  the  enemy's  territor3^  On  the  way,  the  18th 
Infantry,  Company  B,  1st  Engineers,  and  the  Bands  of  the 
5th  Field  Artillery,  6th  Field  Aj-tillery  and  28th  Infantry 
paraded  through  the  City  of  Luxemburg  and  the  column  was 
viewed  from  the  palace  by  the  Duchess  Adelaide  and  General 
Pershing.  The  streets  were  crowded  with  the  populace,  who 
gave  the  troops  an  ovation. 


244  HISTORY   OF   THE   FHIST   DIVISION 

The  columns  reached  the  Moselle  River  on  November 
22d,  where  the  leading  troops  of  the  1st  Brigade  halted  at 
Gravenmacher  and  those  of  the  2d  Brigade  at  Wormeldingen. 
They  were  now  in  a  land  of  plenty,  untouched  by  the  devasta- 
tion and  horrors  of  war.  With  rest,  food  and  drink,  and  A^ith 
friendly  associations  with  the  population,  the  men  found  them- 
selves in  what  appeared  to  be  a  new  world.  Here,  the  trains 
arrived  with  supplies  of  all  kinds  and  the  refitting  of  the 
Division  with  clothing  and  equipment  was  completed. 
Thanksgiving  Daj'  was  celebrated  in  truly  American  stj'le, 
and,  while  the  conventional  turkey  could  not  be  procnred,  the 
substitutes  left  nothing  to  be  desired.  The  day  was  marked 
by  impressive  ceremonies  at  Division  Headquarters  at  Kar- 
nach,  wheie  in  the  shadow  of  the  old  cathedral  the  President's 
Thanksgiving  Proclamation  was  read  to  the  assembled  soldiers 
and  Luxembiu'gers. 

These  were  days  of  momentous  events  in  the  world,  and 
among  them  December  1st  will  remain  an  anniversary  of 
unusual  significance.  If  an^-thing  were  needed  to  complete 
the  humiliation  of  Germany  it  was  the  invasion  of  her  soil 
by  the  nations  whom  she  had  sought  to  destroy.  The  early 
hours  of  the  morning  saw  the  troops  astir  with  packs  slung 
and  trains  moving  for  many  miles.  The  l)ridges  at  Graven- 
macher and  Wormeldingen  resounded  with  the  tramp  of 
marching  men  whose  feet  were  planted  for  the  first  time  in 
the  enemy's  country.  Billeting  parties  preceded  the  com- 
mands and  the  best  houses  that  the  towiis  afforded  were 
allotted  to  the  men  for  whom  nothing  was  too  good.  The 
soft  warm  beds,  protected  from  the  cold  and  the  rain,  -were  in 
strong  contrast  to  the  life  of  exposm-e  and  hardship  that  had 
been  their  lot  during  the  campaign.  The  people  were  sullen, 
resentful  and  indifferent.  They  had  been  told  of  the  atroci- 
ties that  the  Americans  would  commit,  but,  after  seeing  the 
scrupulous  care  manifested  by  the  soldiers  to  show  considera- 
tion and  respect  toward  the  population  and  their  pi'operty, 
the  attitude  toward  them  became  most  friendh'.  The  country 
was  prosperous,  with  no  scars  or  marks  of  war,  and  as  the  con- 
trast grew  between  the  thriving  condition  of  the  enemy  and 


THE   FRUITS   OF   VICTORY  245 

the  land  tluit  their  armies  had  despoiled  and  wrecked,  the  re- 
sentment against  their  crimes  was  intensified. 

The  route  followed  generally  the  beautiful  valley  of  the 
Moselle  River,  where  the  men  found  unceasing  interest  in  the 
vineyards  that  covered  its  terraced  slopes.  Springing  from  the 
loose  shale  and  stones,  the  vegetation  covered  the  steep  hill- 
sides to  the  very  crests  of  the  mountains.  Access  to  the  vines 
was  afforded  by  ladders,  tunnels  and  steps  cut  in  the  stone, 
and  far  aliove  could  be  seen  the  natives  tending  the  plants 
which  were  their  chief  source  of  income. 

As  the  columns  wound  their  way  through  the  pictiu-esque 
villages  and  hills  that  extend  for  many  miles  to  the  west  of  the 
Rhine,  they  caught  their  first  view  of  that  fabled  stream  on 
December  12th.  Through  all  the  ages  this  river  has  been  the 
center  of  German  sentiment,  and  the  affection  of  the  people 
for  it  has  been  like  that  for  the  Fatherland.  Their  legends, 
their  songs  and  their  history  cluster  about  it.  In  its  ruined 
castles  is  written  the  story  of  their  ancestors  and  in  its  swiftly 
moving  waters  they  have  fancied  an  invincible  barrier  against 
their  enemies.  Now,  hosts  of  tramping  men  from  across  the 
Atlantic,  whom  neither  their  submarines  nor  their  armies 
could  stop,  were  approaching  the  forbidden  stream  as  con- 
querors, to  occup}''  it  and  to  complete  the  victory  for  civilization. 

On  December  12th,  the  Division  entered  Coblenz  and 
found  luxurious  billets  in  the  hotels  and  the  many  pretentious 
houses  of  that  city.  The  march  had  covered  a  distance  of 
more  than  two  hundred  miles.  Many  of  the  shoes  issued  were 
ill  fitting  and  caused  distressingly  sore  feet.  Nevertheless,  the 
spirits  of  the  men  were  high  and  as  they  gazed  at  the  great 
fortress  of  Ehrenbreitstein,  now  helpless  in  Allied  hands, 
they  realized  that  their  triumph  was  complete.  The  daj''  was 
spent  in  sightseeing,  and  the  men  inspected  with  keen  interest 
the  gigantic  equestrian  statue  of  Kaiser  Wilhelm  First  and 
the  famous  pontoon  bridge  that  spans  the  Rhine.  Upon 
arriving  at  Coblenz,  the  Division  passed  from  the  Fourth 
Corps  to  the  Third  Corps,  which  was  charged  with  the  defense 
of  the  Coblenz  Bridgehead. 

Dawn  of  December  13th  was  ushered  in  by  a  steady  driz- 
zling rain  that  soon  became  a  downpour.      In   sjiite  of  the 


^^^- 


Upper:    First  Division  orossinn  I  lie  Hhino  Uivor  on  German  military  pontoon  bridge, 

December,  lOlS. 
Lower:  The  16th  Infantrj-  passing  through  victory  arch,  New  York  City, 


THE   FRUITS   OF  VICTORY  247 

unfavorable  weather  conditions,  a  great  crowd  of  civilians, 
welfare  workers  and  staff  officers  gathered  at  the  pontoon 
bridge  to  witness  another  event  of  liistorical  significance. 
Led  by  the  3d  Battalion,  18th  Infantry,  at  the  command, 
"Forward,  march,"  an  American  Aj-my  began  crossing  the 
Rhine.  With  colors  flying  and  bands  playing,  regiment  after 
regiment  followed  in  dense  ranks  until  the  entire  Division 
found  itself  in  the  area  of  the  Coblenz  Bridgehead.  The  same 
day  brought  all  the  elements  to  their  assigned  positions  in 
the  occupied  territory. 

The  Bridgehead. — In  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the 
armistice,  the  Coblenz  Bridgehead  comprised  the  territory 
inclosed  by  an  arc  whose  ends  rested  upon  the  river  and 
which  was  descril^ed  by  a  radius  of  thirty  kilometers  with  the 
center  at  the  Pfaffendorf  Bridge  at  Coblenz  (Map  XII).  The 
Alhed  occupation  consisted  of  one  French  Division  in  the  right 
portion  of  the  Bridgehead  and  three  American  Divisions  in 
the  remainder,  with  the  First  Division  adjoining  the  French. 
The  regiments  of  the  First  Division  were  arranged  in  the  line 
in  order,  from  right  to  left,  the  26th  Infantry,  the  28th  Infantry, 
the  16th  Infantry  and  the  18th  Infantry.  The  sector  was 
divided  into  four  zones,  namely,  the  outpost  zone,  defended  by 
outguards  with  day  and  night  positions  for  automatic  rifles 
and  machine  guns,  which  covered  the  avenues  of  hostile  ap- 
proach; the  zone  of  main  resistance;  the  reserve  zone;  and 
the  barrage  zone.  Each  regiment  placed  one  l^attalion  in 
fine,  one  in  support  and  one  in  reserve.  The  battalions 
alternated  for  serving  in  the  line.  The  companies  of  the  2d 
and  3d  Machine  Gun  Battalions  alternated  with  the  regimental 
machine  gun  companies  for  duty  in  the  line. 

The  6th  and  7th  Field  Artillery  occupied  positions  to 
support  the  1st  and  2d  Brigades,  respectively,  and  the  5th 
Field  Artillery  prepared  to  cover  the  entire  front  of  the 
Division.  The  1st  Engineers  began  work  in  constructing 
shelter  and  ]-epairing  roads.  The  remainder  of  the  troops 
entered  upon  their  normal  duties  of  serving  the  Division. 
The  trains  and  field  hosi)itals  were  located  in  small  towns  in 
the  general   vicinity   of   Division   Headquarters,   which  was 


248  HISTOHV    OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

established  at  Montabaur.  A  troop  of  cavalry  was  attached 
to  the  Division  for  patrol  duty  in  connection  with  the  outpost 
system. 

The  territory  was  picturesque  and  characteristic  of  the 
Rhine  Valley.  The  ancient  castle  of  IMolsberg  in  the  out- 
post zone  was  occupied  as  an  observation  point  and  became  a 
center  of  peculiar  interest.  At  first,  the  Division  occupied 
seventy-sLx  towns,  but  later  the  area  was  extended  to  include 
one  hundred  and  eleven  to\\Tis  w'hen  the  32d  Division  was 
relieved  in  March,  1919. 

Life  in  the  Bridgehead. — Among  the  first  tasks  presented 
to  the  command  was  that  of  establishing  a  police  and  sanitary 
system  in  the  area.  The  German  ideas  of  cleanliness  w^ere 
not  in  accordance  with  those  that  prevailed  with  the  Americans, 
and  it  was  necessary  to  overcome  much  opposition  and  often 
to  inflict  fines  and  punishment  in  order  to  induce  the  natives 
to  keep  then-  streets  and  premises  clean.  Roads  were  ex- 
tensively repaired,  and  the  entire  sector  was  ])osted  with 
attractive  signs  to  indicate  boundaries  and  to  guide  travelei-s. 

A  training  program  was  prepared  which  required  drills, 
exercises  and  studies  during  the  morning  hours.  The  after- 
noons w'ere  devoted  to  athletic  and  recreational  activities. 
A  system  of  leaves  was  inaugiu'ated,  and  the  members  of  the 
Division  were  afforded  opportunities  to  visit  the  resorts  of 
France,  Belgium  and  England.  Three-day  passes,  which 
included  excursions  up  and  down  the  Rhine  and  a  visit  to 
the  Third  Corps  leave  area  at  Neuweid,  were  granted  Uberally 
to  the  men.  The  regiments  and  machine  gun  battalions 
organized  theatrical  companies  that  acquired  much  local 
fame,  and  the  Division  show,  called  "Absent  Without  Leave," 
toured  the  Army  of  Occupation  and  the  leave  areas  of  France. 
In  addition,  the  Division  was  visited  by  many  groups  of  pro- 
fessional entertainers  sent  over  by  the  welfare  societies. 

Special  efforts  were  made  to  develop  athletics.  Football 
and  baseball  teams  were  formed  in  appropriate  seasons  and 
games  were  played  with  other  divisions.  A  division  track 
and  field  meet  produced  contests  of  a  high  order  and  aroused 
intense  enthusiasm. 


A  First  Division  Monument 


250  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Great  interest  was  manifested  in  the  excellence  of  billets, 
kitchens,  stables  and  transportation.  There  were  constant 
competitions  among  the  different  groups  into  which  the  com- 
mand was  divided  for  this  purpose,  and  there  resulted  the 
maintenance  of  those  high  standards  of  which  the  Division 
has  always  been  justly  proud.  The  Division  Horse  Sliow  at 
Montabaur,  February  24th,  was  a  creditable  performance 
preparing  the  waj^  for  the  one  that  was  conducted  on  Juh'  4th. 
This  was  unquestionably  one  of  the  finest  exhibits  given  in 
the  A.  E.  F.  The  Division  also  competed  in  the  Third  Corps 
Horse  Show  against  the  2d  and  32d  Divisions  and  won  the 
fir.st  prize. 

On  February  24th  there  appeared  the  first  issue  of  The 
Bridgehead  Sentinel,  the  Division  newspaper,  which  was 
destined  to  become  a  powerful  agency  for  morale  in  the  com- 
mand. From  a  two-sheet  publication,  it  expanded  into  a 
weekly  of  ten  pages  and  grew  proportionately  in  popularity 
and  usefulness. 

In  order  to  employ  profitably  the  available  time,  schools 
of  various  kinds  were  estabUshed  in  general  education  and  in 
vocational  training.  These  grew  very  popular  as  their  benefits 
became  known,  and  they  were  largely  attended  by  the  men 
who  saw  in  them  a  preparation  for  their  return  to  civil  life. 
The  town  of  Auerbach  was  entirely  occupied  by  the  First 
Division  School,  which  closed  early  in  June,  much  to  the 
regret  of  both  students  and  facult}'.  At  the  same  time,  a 
Division  Training  School  for  Officers  was  conducted  in  Mont- 
abaur. 

As  conditions  stabilized,  many  officers  and  men  felt  that 
they  had  done  theii-  part  and  they  were  given  their  discharges 
to  return  to  their  homes  and  their  liusiness.  They  were 
sadly  missed,  but  their  places  were  promptly  filled  by  new 
arrivals. 

On  February  11,  1919,  the  field  officers  of  the  Division 
met  at  Montabaur  and  formed  the  Society'  of  the  First  Divi- 
sion. Its  purpose  is  set  forth  in  the  following  extract  from 
its  by-laws; 


THE   FRUITS   OF   VICTOIlY  251 

The  object  of  this  society  shall  he  to  promote  social  intercourse  between 
persons  who  have  served  in  the  First  Division  during  the  past  war;  to 
do  any  and  all  things  advisable  for  the  good  of  the  military  service  and 
the  American  people  collectively  and  for  any  member  of  the  society  indi- 
vidually where  consistent  with  the  principal  object,  "the  good  of  the 
military  service  and  the  American  people." 

The  Society  at  once  began  preparations  to  honor  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Division  who  had  made  the  supreme  sacrifice  on 
the  battlefields  of  France.  Through  the  initiation  fees  and 
dues  and  from  a  contribution  of  one  hundred  thousand  francs 
from  the  Salvation  Army,  funds  were  procured  to  erect  a 
monument  on  each  battlefield.  A  board  of  officers  visited  each 
sector  of  the  western  front  to  verify  battle  lines  and  to  select 
the  sites  for  the  monuments.  The  work  was  begun  at  once  and 
carried  to  a  successful  completion.  One  stands  on  the  relief 
line  at  Cantigny  near  the  road  that  leads  to  Montdidier. 
One  was  placed  on  the  heights  of  Buzancy,  but  was  later 
moved  to  the  Soissons-Chateau  Thierry  Road  on  the  line 
that  the  Division  turned  over  to  the  15th  Scottish  Division 
on  the  battlefield  of  Soissons.  Another  stands  on  the 
Vigneulles-St.  Benoit  Road,  which  was  reached  by  the  Divi- 
sion in  the  St.  Mihiel  operation.  A  fourth  is  northeast  of 
Sommerance  and  marks  the  front  gained  in  the  first  entry  into 
the  Meuse-Argonne  battle.  The  fifth  stands  on  Hill  252, 
southwest  of  Sedan,  behind  the  farthest  point  reached  in  the 
final  advance.  The  shaft  of  each  monument  bears  in  bronze 
the  names  of  the  members  of  the  Division  who  fell  on  that 
field  and  is  surmounted  by  a  shell  chiseled  from  the  granite, 
upon  which  is  perched,  with  hovering  wings,  the  eagle  that 
symbolizes  the  land  for  which  they  died.  In  addition  to  these 
monuments,  stone  pillars  were  placed  to  mark  the  battle-lines 
of  departure  and  relief  on  each  field. 

With  the  approach  of  Memorial  Day  plans  were  made 
to  honor  in  person,  for  the  last  time,  those  who  slept  under  the 
forests  of  white  crosses  that  marked  the  American  cemeteries. 
At  Dernbach,  Germany,  where  the  Division  cemetery  of  the 
Bridgehead  was  located,  throngs  of  officers  and  men  attended 
the  simple  but  impressive  ceremonies.      Detachments,  con- 


The  five  battle  monuments  erected  at  Cantigny,  Soissons,  St.  Mihiel,  the  Argonne  and 

Sedan 


THE   FRUITS   OF  VICTORY  253 

sisting  of  a  chaplain  and  another  officer,  with  a  firing  squad, 
visited  each  cemetery  that  contained  the  dead  of  the  First 
Division  in  France  and  rendered  the  honors  that  were  their  due. 

The  first  annual  reunion  of  the  Division  was  held  at  Mont- 
abaur  on  June  6th.  The  entire  Division  could  not  be  accom- 
modated, but  large  representations  came  from  every  company 
and  detachment.  An  abundant  dinner  was  served  under 
canvas  to  more  than  three  thousand  officers  and  men. 
Several  addresses  were  made  by  prominent  officers,  and  enter- 
tainment was  provided  during  the  meal  by  the  welfare  workers 
wdth  the  command.  After  dinner,  the  crowds  were  amused  by 
the  First  Division  Circus,  organized  and  presented  by  the 
1st  Ammunition  Train.  So  great  was  the  success  of  this 
remarkable  show  that  it  was  later  exhibited  to  the  Ai'my  of 
Oi^cupation  in  Coblenz  and  to  the  British  forces  in  Cologne. 

Among  the  remarkable  performances  of  the  Division 
which  will  ever  be  remembered  with  pride  was  the  construc- 
tion by  the  1st  Engineers  of  a  military  pontoon  bridge  across 
the  Rhine  at  Honningen  in  the  record  time  of  forty-one 
minutes  and  eight  seconds.  The  best  previous  record  was 
fifty-eight  minutes  and  thirty  seconds  by  the  2d  Engineers. 
The  time  required  by  the  Germans  to  construct  a  bridge  at 
the  same  site  when  they  had  a  bridge  school  at  Honningen 
was  about  four  hours. 

During  the  occupation  of  the  Bridgehead  the  Division 
was  visited  by  many  distinguished  officials,  both  military 
and  civil.  On  March  14th  Genei'al  Pershing  reviewed  the 
Division  near  Montabaur,  decorated  a  number  of  officers  and 
men  with  campaign  and  service  medals  and  delivered  a 
complimentary  address  to  the  troops.  On  May  9th  the 
Division  was  reviewed  by  Lieutenant  General  Liggett,  who 
commanded  the  Army  of  Occupation.  He  bestowed  the 
battle  streamers  upon  the  colors  of  the  regiments  and  separate 
battalions  of  the  Division.  These  streamers  bear  the  names 
of  the  ten  operations  in  which  the  organizations  participated 
during  the  war.  On  Ma}^  13th  the  Commander-in-Chief 
again  visited  the  Division  during  a  baseball  game  between 
the  First  and  Second  Divisions.      In  the  latter  part  of  April 


.\ililli'i\   111'  I'lixi    Divisiiin  in  |i.n:ii|c  .il   \\  asliiiif;lciH.  1).  ( '.,  Sfptenilicr  17,   I'.U'J 


THK    FIU'ITS    OF    \1(T()KY  25") 

two  composite  companies  weix'  sent  to  Coblenz  to  form  a  jxut 
of  the  selected  regiment  of  i-egular  troops  which  was  to  repre- 
sent the  American  Army  in  the  victory  parades  in  London, 
Paris  and  Brussels. 

About  the  middle  of  June  the  allied  negotiations  with 
Germany  became  unsatisfactory,  and  grave  doubts  arose  that 
the  enemy  would  sign  the  treaty  of  peace.  In  such  a  contin- 
gency, the  Allies  had  no  alternative  but  to  resume  hostilities. 
Accordingly,  the  alert  order  was  given  on  June  18th  and  the 
troops  went  into  bivouac  along  the  outpost  line,  in  readiness. 
Machine  gun  companies  joined  their  old  battalions  for  com- 
bat and  the  artillerj-  regiments  prepared  to  support  the  in- 
fantry brigades.  The  trains  with  full  loads  were  placed  in 
readiness  for  the  forward  movement.  It  was  expected  that 
the  advance  would  begin  on  June  23d,  but  on  that  day  the  news 
was  received  that  the  treaty  would  be  signed.  The  necessity 
having  passed,  all  commands  went  into  billets  on  June  27tli. 
The  treaty  was  signed  on  Jiuie  28th  and  the  Division  returned 
to  its  old  billets  on  June  29th. 

Marshal  Petain  visited  Coblenz  July  18th,  for  the  purpose 
of  decorating  the  colors  of  all  the  regiments  of  the  Division 
mth  the  Croix  de  Guerre.  At  that  time  the  colors  were  with 
the  composite  regiment  in  London,  and  the  decorations  were 
delivered  to  the  regimental  commanders.  The  daj^  was  the 
anniversary  of  the  battle  of  Soissons,  and,  to  celebrate  it, 
the  1st  Infantry  Brigade  entertained  the  command  with  a 
gymkhana  at  Selters.  At  night  there  was  a  brilliant  display 
of  fireworks  that  was  reminiscent  of  the  wild  nights  in  the 
old  sectors. 

With  the  signing  of  the  armistice,  plans  were  made  to 
withdraw  all  the  American  Divisions  and  to  substitute  for 
them  a  detachment  designated  as  the  American  Foi'ces  in 
Germany.  As  a  fui-ther  proof  of  his  desire  to  recognize  the 
signal  services  that  the  Division  had  rendered,  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief conferred  upon  it  the  honor  of  being  the  last 
to  leave,  and  he  determined  to  return  wdth  it  to  the  homeland. 
When,  therefore,  the  2d  Division  was  reUeved  early  in  July, 
the  First  Division  took  over  the  entire  American  Bridgehead, 


256  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

and  Division  Headquarters  was  shifted  to  Neuweid  to  secure 
a  more  central  control.  On  July  31st  the  news  was  received 
that  the  Division  would  begin  entraining  for  the  port  of 
embarkation  and  that  the  first  train  would  leave  Germany 
August  15th.  This  was  confirmed  by  General  Pershing 
himself,  who  made  his  last  tour  of  inspection  on  August  2d, 
when  he  found  the  First  Division  the  only  American  troops 
across  the  Rhine.  During  this  visit,  he  pinned  the  Croix  de 
Guerre,  that  had  been  presented  by  Marshal  Petain,  on  the 
colors  and  standards  of  all  the  regiments  and  separate 
battalions. 

Homeward  Bound. — The  order  for  the  return  of  the  Divi- 
sion to  the  United  States  required  the  following  units  to  remain 
with  the  American  Forces  in  Germany:  2d  Battalion,  6th 
Field  Ai'tillery;  Company  A,  1st  Engineers;  Field  Hospital 
No.  13,  1st  Sanitary  Train;  and  Companies  A,  B,  C  and  D, 
1st  Supply  Train.  They  were  accordingly  reorganized  with 
officers  and  men  who  desu'ed  to  stay  on  the  Rhine.  The  troops 
began  entraining  on  August  15th  and  the  schedule  proceeded 
rapidly.  The  route  from  Coblenz  was  down  the  Rhine  tlirough 
Belgium  and  past  Arras  and  Amiens  to  Brest.  The  country 
was  new  and  interesting  to  the  Division.  Amiens  was  not 
far  from  the  old  Cantigny  sector,  and  it  recalled  the  days  when 
the  terrible  artillery  duels  at  that  place  reverberated  along 
the  Cantigny  front,  adding  wildness  to  the  days  and  nights  of 
horror  that  were  spent  there.  The  desolation  of  the  Somme 
battlefield  contrasted  sadly  with  the  rich  and  prosperous 
Rhine  Valley  and  rekindled  the  compassion  that  everyone 
felt  for  the  innocent  victims  of  German  lust  and  greed. 

The  first  units  embarked  at  Brest  August  18th,  and  the 
last  unit  arrived  at  Hoboken  September  6th.  The  return 
voyage  was  lacking  the  excitement  and  adventure  of  the  trip 
to  France,  more  than  two  years  before.  Those  veterans  who 
were  fortunate  enough  to  come  back  with  their  regiments  had 
developed  character  and  seriousness  of  purpose  beyond  their 
years.  To  them,  life  could  never  again  be  the  same.  In  the 
lines  of  their  faces  was  written  the  inflexible  resolution  that 
had  swept  them  over  the  enemy's  strongest  resistance,  and  in 


MAJOR   GENERAL  EDWARD   F.   McGLACHLIN,  Jr. 
Commanding  First  Division  from  November  20,  1918,  to  September  23,  1920 


THE   FRUITS   OF  VICTORY  259 

their  steady  eyes  was  the  look  that  had  calmly  faced  death 
in  every  form.  Their  thoughts  were  of  loved  ones  whom 
they  had  hungered  so  long  to  see  and  of  homes  that  had 
become  dearer  by  contrast  with  the  privations  of  campaign 
and  the  lodgings  among  an  alien  people.  Their  early  excite- 
ment had  given  place  to  sober  contemplation,  and  their 
emotions  were  not  such  as  could  be  expressed  in  cheers  at  the 
sight  of  their  native  shores.  Quietly  the  ships  entered  the 
piers,  and  the  debarkation  proceeded  in  the  orderly  manner 
which  liad  long  since  become  second  nature.  The  troops  were 
dispatched  to  Camp  Merritt,  New  Jersey,  and  Camp  Mills, 
Long  Island,  where  they  were  informed  that  they  were  to 
parade  in  New  York  September  10th.  General  Pershing 
arrived  September  8th,  and  he  and  his  staff  were  to  lead  the 
Division. 

America's  Greeting. — The  men  had  brought  only  their 
personal  efjuipment.  It  was  therefore  necessary  to  re-equip 
the  Division  as  for  war  and  to  put  the  new  material  in  a 
condition  that  would  conform  to  First  Division  standards. 
Thousands  of  animals  were  to  be  shod,  harness  fitted  and  ad- 
justed and  horses  for  the  artillery  and  trains  were  to  be 
clipped  and  groomed.  Hundreds  of  artillery  carriages,  trans- 
port wagons  and  trucks  were  to  be  overhauled  and  painted, 
and  all  were  to  be  organized  so  as  to  present  to  the  American 
people  a  correct  idea  of  a  combat  division  at  war  strength. 
The  task  was  appalling,  and  nothing  but  the  Division  spirit 
of  loyal  self-sacrifice  and  devotion  could  have  accomphshed  it. 
In  spite  of  the  alluring  calls  of  the  great  city,  of  appeals  from 
friends  to  come  to  them  and  of  heart  hunger  for  home  and 
loved  ones,  the  men  worked  day  and  night,  almost  without 
sleep  or  rest,  to  make  sure  that  the  Division  which  they  loved 
should  not  be  unworthy  of  their  pride  when  it  was  judged  by 
their  countrymen.  Had  not  thousands  died  for  it  and  many 
more  thousands  suffered  wounds?  What  was  this  new  task 
in  comparison  mth  those  weary  marches,  those  weeks  in  mud 
and  rain,  those  long  days  and  nights  of  hardship  and  danger? 
It  might  delay  their  going  home,  but  the  result  would  be  worth 
the  sacrifice.     "Wlien,  therefore,  the  closely  massed  infantry, 


2(i()  HISTORY   OF   THE   FH{ST   DIVISION 

with  their  faultless  equipment  and  their  steady  step,  the  hand- 
somely mounted  artillery  with  shining  horses  and  gUttering 
carriages,  the  neatly  packed  machine  gun  carts  and  the  long 
columns  of  motor  vehicles  in  accurate  formation,  appeared 
on  Fifth  Avenue,  the  waiting  multitudes  3'elled  themselves 
hoarse  in  admiration.  More  than  all  else  the}'  were  impressed 
by  the  set  faces  that  showed  no  sign  of  emotion  and  by  the 
steady  eyes  that  looked  straight  ahead  and  took  no  heed  of  the 
crowds  and  the  cheering.  "Look  at  their  faces!"  was  the 
spontaneous  exclamation.  Such  faces  could  exist  only  with 
those  whose  spirit  had  triumphed  over  the  flesh  and  who  had 
been  born  again  in  the  greatest  of  all  human  adventures. 
The  parade  required  four  and  one-half  hours  to  pass  a  given 
point,  yet  the  total  number  of  men  in  the  column  was  less 
than  the  total  number  of  casualties  that  the  Division  had 
suffered  in  action. 

As  soon  as  the  march  was  finished  the  troops  went  to 
Camp  Mills  and  prepared  for  the  journey  to  Washington. 
The  movement  was  executed  between  September  10th  and 
16th.  On  September  17th  the  Division  paraded  in  Wash- 
ington. The  line  of  march  extended  from  the  Capitol,  up 
Pennsylvania  Avenue  and  past  the  "W^aite  House,  where  it  was 
reviewed  by  the  Vice-President  and  members  of  the  Cabinet. 
The  ovation  was  equal  to  that  which  the  troops  had  received 
in  New  York.  The  spectacle  was  a  fitting  end  to  the  great 
drama.  The  men  were  weary  from  days  and  nights  of  labor 
Avith  little  rest,  but  they  bore  themselves  uncomplainingly  and 
worthily  to  the  end.  From  Washington  the  Division  went  to 
Camp  Meade,  Maryland,  where  all  the  parade  equipment 
was  turned  in  and  the  Division  was  demobilized.  All  the 
men  and  manj'  of  the  officers  who  belonged  to  the  temporary 
Army  were  discharged,  and  there  remained  but  a  few  thousand 
who  had  enlisted  before  the  war  and  who  were  retained  by  the 
War  Department  to  complete  their  term  of  service  or  to  await 
their  discharge  at  the  end  of  the  emergency. 

Here  ends  the  story  of  the  First  Division  in  the  Woi'ld  War. 
As  long  as  its  organizations  endure,  its  traditions  will  be  con- 
secrated, its  character  preserved  and  its  record  unblemished, 


THE   FRUITS   OF   VICTORY 


261 


for  those  who  remain  and  tliose  who  are  to  come  belong  to  the 
same  type  of  American  manhood  as  those  who  suffered  and 
those  who  died.  In  them  hved  the  soul  of  the  First  Division 
— and  souls  are  immortal. 


InfMiilrv  (if  Kirsl  Division  in  parrule  at  Washington,  U.  C,  SeiitoiiiliiT  1(,  I'.tl'J 


RETROSPECT 

These  things  have  been  set  down,  Uttle  by  httle,  more 
tlian  two  years  after  the  stirring  events  that  have  l^een  told. 
Already  the  intense  pressure  of  the  daily  struggle  gives  a  tinge 
of  unreality  to  the  past.  One  almost  wonders  if  that  dra- 
matic argosy  really  sailed  away  and  dared  the  sea  and  the 
ruthless  submarines;  if  those  stalwart  American  soldiers, 
who  could  he  tender  with  children  and  who  could  look  un- 
flinchingly in  the  face  of  death,  really  performed  those  won- 
drous deeds  of  heroism  and  sacrifice;  if  those  lines  advanced 
with  unsliaken  resolution  against  the  victorious  enemy  at 
Cantigny;  if  they  estaljlished  with  their  lives  the  turning  point 
of  modern  history  on  the  fateful  field  of  Soissons;  if  they 
dashed  mth  unparalleled  impetuosity  across  stream  and  trench 
and  wire,  by  battery  and  machine  gun  nest,  under  the  hitherto 
unconquered  Mont  Sec;  if  they  reached  that  height  of 
spiritual  exaltation  by  which  alone  they  tore  their  way  foot 
l)y  foot  in  that  epic  struggle  of  the  Mouse- Argonne;  if  they 
planted  their  colors  at  the  high-water  mark  of  American 
achievement  on  Hill  252  commanding  Sedan;  and  if  they 
finally  gave  to  the  world  an  example  of  humane  treatment  of  a 
conquered  enemy  that  has  never  been  excelled.  It  is  only 
in  the  long  "Honor  Roll"  of  those  who  sleep  across  the  sea; 
in  the  sight  of  the  wounded  who  must  ever  bear  the  pain  and 
disabilities  of  crippled  bodies;  and  in  the  faces  of  those  who 
have  seen  beyond  the  view  of  other  mortals,  that  the  reality 
of  the  past  is  borne  in  upon  the  present.  Implanted  in  the 
hearts  of  those  who  shared  that  world  of  battle  and  of  death 
is  the  freemasonry  of  the  "Blood  Pact"  that  must  bind 
forever  the  living  and  the  dead.  They  were  and  are  the 
First  Division,  and  the  dead  are  living  though  they  be  dead, 
and  the  living  are  united  though  parted. 

The  bereaved  mother  from  whose  life  the  light  has  gone 
asks  if  the  sacrifice  was  worth  while;  the  maimed  in  body, 
from  whom  the  great  possibilities  of  life  have  been  taken, 
wonders  what  his  people  have  gained  to  compensate  for  his 
loss;   and  the  veteran  does  not  understand  why  it  is  difficult 

(263) 


264  iiisioitv  ()['■  'rjir:  fihst  division 

for  him  to  find  a  place  in  the  industrial  and  social  life  of  the 
land  he  had  fought  to  preserve.  Just  as  the  general  who 
would  win  his  next  battle  must  gain  the  confidence  and 
loyalty  of  those  who  have  served  him  well,  so  must  the  nation 
that  would  rise  to  the  crises  which  history  teaches  inevitably 
await  take  heed  that  it  does  not  withhold  the  honor  that 
is  due  to  those  whose  sufferings  have  been  the  price  of  its 
existence. 

In  the  days  of  stress  and  danger  the  nation  was  fired  by  a 
holy  zeal  of  patriotism.  The  spirit  of  service  and  of  self- 
denial  was  abroad  in  the  land,  and  every  heart  that  was 
touched  was  ennobled.  Was  victory  the  end  of  this  sublime 
impulse?  Are  the  example  of  the  living  and  the  sacrifice  of 
the  dead  to  be  forgotten?  Is  the  nation  to  lose  the  inheritance 
of  spiritual  exaltation  that  entered  into  men's  souls  and  that 
was  precious  and  priceless?  On  every  hand  it  has  been  said 
that  the  war  was  over,  and  people  have  turned  feverishh'  to 
their  tasks  of  readjustment,  anxious,  perhaps,  to  erase  from 
their  memories  its  experiences,  its  thrills  and  its  horrors. 
The  war  is  not  over  for  the  thousands  of  homes  whose  loved 
ones  fell  in  battle  or  died  of  disease;  it  is  not  over  for  the  tens 
of  thousands  who  must  bear  the  pain  and  disabilities  of  crip- 
pled bodies  while  life  lasts;  it  is  not  over  for  the  hundreds  of 
thousands  who  bore  hardship,  danger  and  exhaustion,  and 
who,  in  the  face  of  death,  attained  those  heights  of  spiritual 
grandeur  that  partook  of  the  attributes  of  the  Divine. 
Though  the  bodies  of  oin-  triimiphant  dead  sleep  in  the  soil 
redeemed  by  their  blood,  the  memory  of  their  glorious 
achievements  and  their  heroic  courage  and  sacrifice  must 
keep  alight  the  fires  of  patriotism  against  the  day  when  the 
agencies  of  peace  again  shall  fail. 


ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

The  story  of  the  Fu-st  Division  would  not  be  complete 
without  an  acknowledgment  in  its  pages  of  the  services 
rendered  to  its  members  by  the  numerous  agencies  that  re- 
sponded to  their  needs. 

To  the  welfare  societies  there  is  due  lasting  and  profound 
gratitude  for  the  work  of  the  splendid  men  and  women  who 
were  attached  to  the  different  units.  They  not  only  bright- 
ened the  days  of  rest  in  the  billeting  areas,  but  they  went  even 
to  the  trenches  on  their  missions  of  cheer.  However  much 
the  cigarettes  and  tobacco,  the  sweets  and  the  knick-knacks 
added  to  the  creature  comforts  of  the  men,  the  greatest  con- 
tribution was  their  presence.  To  see  and  hear  a  woman  who 
radiated  sympathy  and  that  indefinable  feminine  atmosphere 
so  dear  to  the  hearts  of  men,  was  itself  refreshing,  spiritually 
and  mentally.  The  only  regret  was  that  the  numbers  were 
too  few  to  be  enjoyed  bj'  all  commands.  They  will  ever  be 
a  part  of  the  First  Division  and  they  share  the  affection  and 
comradeship  that  are  among  the  most  cherished  inlieritances 
of  the  war. 

There  were  many  hospital  units  that  served  the  Division, 
from  the  field  itself  to  the  homeland.  Some  were  known,  but 
many  belonged  to  the  Service  of  Supply  and  bore  no  relation- 
ship to  the  combat  troops.  To  the  surgeons,  nurses  and  en- 
Usted  personnel  the  Division  is  deeply  grateful  for  the  tender 
and  skilful  care  that  was  unfailingly  shown  to  its  wounded. 
To  see  them  on  their  beds  of  suffering  with  bodies  torn,  limbs 
shattered  or  minds  deranged,  filled  the  heart  with  compassion 
and  with  reverence  for  those  who  were  able  to  relieve  the  pain 
and  preserve  life.  The  noble  nurses  deserve  a  tribute  all 
their  own.  To  their  women's  hearts  the  opening  guns  of  battle 
meant,  not  kilometers  gained  nor  an  enemy  vanquished,  but 
a  stream  of  broken  and  torn  human  bodies  to  be  tended  and 
mended  or  eased  beyond  the  reach  of  pain.  Working  day  and 
night  and  often  exposed  to  the  cold,  in  the  mud  and  the  rain, 
they  can  still  be  seen  quietly  doing  their  part  in  the  place  that 
had  been  cast  for  them. 

(265) 


266  HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 

The  loved  ones  and  the  friends  at  home  whose  letters 
brought  cheer  when  their  hearts  were  breaking  with  anxiety 
contributed  a  fidl  measure  to  the  high  morale  that  character- 
ized the  Division.  A  load  of  mail  was  worth  more  than  many 
loads  of  ammunition,  and  letters  and  remembrances  never 
failed  to  arrive. 

If  the  men  were  able  to  perform  their  part  so  gloriously, 
it  was  because  they  had  been  blessed  with  mothers  who  gave 
them  of  their  own  nobility  of  soul.  They  saw  the  sons  they 
had  borne  and  cherished  go  forth  to  their  death,  and  with 
breaking  hearts  they  were  proud  that  they  could  make  such  a 
priceless  offering  to  their  Country.  Not  only  was  the  spirit 
of  America's  mothers  implanted  in  their  sons,  but  each  man 
lived  with  the  consciousness  and  inspiration  of  his  mother's 
teachings.  Her  words  rang  in  his  ears;  her  letters  brought 
constant  reminders,  counsel  and  love;  and  her  approval  was 
his  richest  reward.  Said  a  hero  upon  being  decorated  with  the 
Distinguished  Service  Cross:  "My  mother  Avill  be  proud  of 
this."  Thus,  promotions,  citations  and  commendations  were 
laid  at  the  feet  of  the  mothers  who  had  won  them  through 
their  sons.  In  their  turn,  these  brave  women  were  glorified 
by  their  renunciation.  Their  superb  character  was  tj'pified 
by  one,  who  said:  "How  could  I  have  accomplished  an^i^hing 
more  wonderfid  than  raising  such  a  son,  and  how  could  he 
have  done  anything  so  great  as  giving  his  life  for  his  Country?  " 
And  another  has  written: 

Star  of  Bethlehem  in  the  East, 
You  who  led  the  wise  men  on 
Through  the  pale  and  pearly  dawn. 

Your  pure  ray  is  not  the  least ; 

But  the  gold  stars  which  now  shine 
On  each  sorrowing  mother's  breast, 
For  a  brave  son  laid  to  rest, 

They  too  shed  a  ray  divine, 

They  too  speak  a  little  child 

Born  for  selfless  sacrifice. 

Thus  we  note  this  dear  device 
With  your  radiance  reconciled. 


PART  II 
THE  HONOR  ROLL 


The  Chosen  Corps 


A  Chosen  Corps — they  are  marching  on 

In  a  wider  field  than  ours; 
Those  bright  battahons  still  fulfill 

The  scheme  of  the  heavenly  powers ; 
And  high,  brave  thoughts  float  down  to  us, 

The  echoes  of  that  far  fight, 
Like  the  flash  of  a  distant  picket's  guns 

Through  the  shades  of  the  severing  night. 

No  fear  for  them !     In  our  lower  field, 

Let  us  toil  with  arms  unstained. 
That  at  last  we  be  worthy  to  stand  with  them 

On  the  shining  heights  they've  gained. 
We  shall  meet  and  greet  in  closing  ranks, 

In  time's  declining  sun, 
When  the  bugle  of  God  shall  sound  "recall," 

And  the  Battle  of  Life  be  won ! 

— John  Hay. 


(269) 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 

EXPLANATION  OF  SIGNS 

*Killed  in  Action. 

tDied  of  Wounds. 

§Died  of  Disease  or  Other  Causes. 

llPrisoner  Died. 

DIVISION  HEADQUARTERS 
QUARTERMASTER   CORPS 

Name  Rank        Name  Rank 

♦Clayton,  Bertram  T Col.      *Montgall,  Rufus  F Capt. 

§Graham,  Edgar  M Maj.      §Wickler,  Joseph  T Pvt. 

*Bullock,  Harry  A Capt. 

HEADQUARTERS  DETACHMENT 

§Brooks,  Phillip Pvt.  *Masters,  William  H Pvt. 

*Caufield,  Waldo  E Sgt.  §Minard,  Earl  Leslie Sgt. 

*Churco,  Benjamin  J PFC.  §Scanlon,  William  Joseph Cpl. 

§Collins,  John  C Wag.  §Stream,  Waldo  L Cpl. 

§Jacky,  Benjamin Sdlr. 

HEADQUARTERS  TROOP 

*Jackson,  Robert Pvt.      *Sullivan,  Emmet  D Pvt. 

tScott,  John  W Pvt. 

HEADQUARTERS  COMPANY 

tBoUing,  Clyde  W PFC.       *Sierzychi,  Henry Cook 

tCorcoran,  Daniel  W Pvt. 

16th  infantry 

FIELD   AND   STAFF 

•Craig,  John  M Lt.  Col.  *Umsted,  Rolla  P 1st  Lt. 

tWells,  Maynard  A Maj.  *Foster,  George  E 2d  Lt. 

tLewis,  Orville  E Capt.  fMonroe,  David  E 2d  Lt. 

tYoung,  Homer  S Capt.  *Schwartz,  Sidney  U 2d  Lt. 

§Culver,  Harrison  W 1st  Lt. 

HEADQUARTERS   COMPANY 

§Brooberg,  Francis 1st  Lt.      fHadley,  Ross  T Cpl. 

tAlford,  George  W Pvt.      §Hamzy,  Frank Cpl. 

•Allen,  Harry  J Pvt.      *Haring,  Theodore  J Cpl. 

fButler,  Leon  C Pvt.      fJohnson,  John  E Pvt. 

tCarlson,  Albert  R Pvt.      §Kirmaman,  William  C Pvt. 

fDaugherty,  Robert  L PFC.      §Koning,  Marines Pvt. 

•Ewing,  Alexander  W Pvt.      §Kossierski,  Bernard Pvt. 

•Freitas,  Antonia  L Pvt.      *Lowe,  Howell Pvt. 

•Goodspeed,  Frederick  N PFC.      fMeschede,  Theodore  J Pvt. 

(271) 


HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


16th   infantry    (Contd.) 
HEADQUARTERS   COMPANY  (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Morehcacl,  Joe  H Pvt. 

tMurphy,  George  R Pvt. 

tOlson,  Gifford  C Mus. 

§Printiip,  George  G Cpl. 

fRay,  Harry  F Pvt. 

*Reavill,  David  B Pvt. 

§Shulz,  Walter Cpl. 


Name  Rank 

*Smith,  Marvin  W Pvt. 

*Stonn,  George  P Bn.  Sgt.  Maj. 

§Strouse,  Dewey Pvt. 

*Thompson,  Fred Pvt. 

§Vaughn,  Pink Pvt. 

*\\'illiams,  William  A Pvt. 

tYakesh,  John Pvt. 


SUPPLY  COMPANY 
*Adams,  Walter  R Cook      *Holland,  James  C Pvt. 


fCasey,  Lynden  L PFC. 

*Cross,  Jay  E Wag. 

fGriggs,  George  W Pvt. 

§Hawkins,  Edward  A Pvt. 


§  Jones,  Charles Wag. 

§Large,  Arthur Wag. 

tRyan,  John Pvt. 


MACHINE   GUN   COMPANY 


*Betts,  Elden  S 1st  Lt. 

*Connelly,  Joseph  P 1st  Lt. 

§RobLnson,  Lambert  C 1st  Lt. 

*Clarke,  Henry  Ware 2d  Lt. 

*  Young,  Reginald  S 2d  Lt. 

II Adams,  Leo  J Pvt. 

*Ahcrn,  William  D PFC. 

*Baxtcr,  William  L PFC. 

fBcnnctt,  Chester  L Pvt. 

*Bergstrom,  Frank  H PFC. 

*Borror,  Clarence Pvt. 

*Bottolfson,  Bernhard Pvt. 

tBoyer,  Rex Pvt. 

*Brenden,  Tharwald Pvt. 

tBulleri,  Giuseppe  J Pvt. 

*Buster,  Floyd  E Cpl. 

tChapman,  .lames  Blaine Pvt. 

§Christophcr,  Guy  B PFC. 

*Ciravegna,  Louis  A Sgt. 

tCoffin,  Almon  B Pvt. 

*Conde,  Frederick  William,  Jr Pvt. 

*Cook,  Newton Pvt. 

*Evans,  Herman  L Cpl. 

§Eversole,  Ben Pvt. 

fFerguson,  David  R Pvt. 

*Gile.s,  George  R PFC. 

§Grafton,  Homer  E Pvt. 


♦Gunther,  Edward Pvt. 

fHarman,  Lester  L Pvt. 

*Harrell,  Robert  L Pvt. 

*Heidelberg,  Rolan  W Pvt. 

*Horn,  Gran  vile  M Pvt. 

*Inman,  Vince Pvt. 

*Jacobus,  Royal Pvt. 

*Kirkman,  Robert  E Cpl. 

*League,  George Pvt. 

*Liles,  Barney Pvt. 

fLindsay,  Joseph  M Pvt. 

*McDonald,  Anthony Pvt. 

tMcDonough,  Robert  H Pvt. 

*Magarrell,  Melvin  WiUiam Pvt. 

tNelson,  Finn  L PFC. 

*Osborne,  Thomas PFC. 

*Petrimean,  George Sgt. 

*Pidiek,  Stephen  E PFC. 

*Roshon,  Max Pvt. 

*Salfe,  Tony Pvt. 

*Stringer,  Ivan PFC. 

*Teaford,  Clarence PFC. 

*Vincent,  Alvin Pvt. 

*Warner,  Herman  V Pvt. 

*Wikoff,  Frank  B Cpl. 

*Wil.son,  William Pvt. 

nVyatt,  Joseph  H Pvt. 


MEDICAL   DETACHMENT 


*Wheeler,  David  E 1st  Lt. 

tAdams,  Walter  H Pvt. 


♦Compton,  Aubrey  L PFC. 

||Dunham,  Jack  W Pvt. 


THE  HONOR   ROLL 


273 


16th    infantry    (Contd.) 
MEDICAL  DETACHMENT   (Contd.) 


Name  Hank 

*Dunn,  Tony  B PFC. 

IIHane,  Schuler PFC. 

*McCulla,  Daniel Pvt. 

*Mamoul,  Apear  S PFC. 


Name  Rank 

tO'Marra,  Thomas  J Pvt. 

*Steeves,  Roswell  F PFC. 

*Wise,  Roy  C Pvt. 


COMPANY   "A" 


*King,  Otis  H Capt. 

*Pinger,  Walter  L 1st  Lt. 

*Dodson,  Wilson  Brown 2d  Lt. 

*Allie,  George  H CpL 

*Archibald,  Don  L Pvt. 

t Arnold,  Raymond  C PFC. 

*Bainbridge,  Henry  Eder Cpl. 

tBamby,  Lee Pvt. 

♦Bancroft,  Robert  W Pvt. 

*Batjer,  William  M Cpl. 

*Begosh,  Joseph  F Pvt. 

tBickhart,  Harry  J Sgt. 

*Boggs,  Lauron Pvt. 

fBowen,  James  E Pvt. 

*Bower,  William  M Sgt. 

*Busker,  Joe Pvt. 

*Carr,  John  J Pvt. 

*Cezmadia,  John Pvt. 

fChatham,  Elmer  A Pvt. 

§Claus,  Clemence  G Pvt. 

*Coes.sens,  Mathew  J Pvt. 

*Cole,  Walter  W Pvt. 

§Compton,  Porter  E Pvt. 

tCoon,  Herbert  S Pvt. 

llCovey,  Henry Pvt. 

*Dougher,  Thomas  A Pvt. 

*Elenger,  Joe  A Pvt. 

*Fasciani,  James Pvt. 

*Feia,  Frank  F Pvt. 

fFelix,  Brazil Pvt. 

fFontenot,  John  A Pvt. 

tFontana,  Frank Pvt. 

fFrederickson,  Louis  C.  F Pvt. 

*Galitzeck,  Henry  L Pvt. 

*Glackman,  George Cpl. 

♦Gold,  Clarence  R Pvt. 

*Gorla,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Herbert,  Cleophia  P Pvt. 

*Higgins,  Charles  E Pvt. 

*Hillson,  Hyman PFC. 

*Holtzlafle,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Hopkins,  Harold  M Cpl. 

♦Howard,  Raymond Pvt. 


♦Iwanicki,  Pioter Pvt. 

♦Jackson,  Morrill  B PFC. 

♦Kennedy,  James  R Pvt. 

♦Kerr,  John  S PFC. 

tKirby,  Fred  L Pvt. 

♦Ivitchen,  Harry  H Pvt. 

♦Knapp,  Harold  A Pvt. 

♦Larosa,  Francisco Pvt. 

♦Lawrence,  Thaddeus  S Cpl. 

♦Layser,  Horace  L Pvt. 

♦Lightfoot,  Cullie Sgt. 

♦Linhart,  Anton Pvt. 

♦Logg,  Joseph  A Pvt. 

♦Lovaas,  Hjalmar PFC. 

♦Lynch,  Thomas  P Pvt. 

♦Lyon,  George  K Pvt. 

♦McClatchey,  Harold Pvt. 

♦McCrary,  Robert  H Pvt. 

♦Manning,  Earl  J Cpl. 

fManuel,  Sidney Pvt. 

♦Mathis,  Wyril  L Pvt. 

♦Maynard,  Alex Pvt. 

♦Mitchell,  Clarence Pvt. 

♦Myers,  Allan  G Cpl. 

♦Novasconi,  James Pvt. 

♦Nusbaum,  Edmond  Thiburejis Pvt. 

tOrdway,  Ellis  B Sgt. 

♦Palermo,  Nicholas Pvt. 

♦Patton,  Fay Sgt. 

♦Piatt,  Charles Pvt. 

♦Prather,  Henry  C PFC. 

♦Pratt,  Omar Pvt. 

tQualls,  Logan Pvt. 

♦Richard,  Dorselie Pvt. 

♦Robinson,  Benjamin Pvt. 

♦Robinson,  William Pvt. 

fRogers,  Charles  W Sgt. 

♦Rogers,  Edward  W Pvt. 

♦Ro.ss,  Alexander Pvt. 

tRyan,  Walter  F Pvt. 

♦Salitzki,  Joseph Pvt. 

♦Sauers,  Ferdinand Pvt. 

tSchuster,  Sol Pvt. 


274 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 


16th   infantry   (Contd.) 
COMPANY  "A"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Shore,  Paul  E Pvt. 

*Smith,  Albert Cpl. 

tSpingstine,  George Pvt. 

llStokes,  Henry Pvt. 

*Tangen,  Severin Pvt. 

*Tarka,  Michael Cpl. 

*Thompson,  Fred  P Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Trapp,  All)ert Pvt. 

t^^'asson,  William Pvt. 

*WTiite,  John  J Pvt. 

*Williani.s,  Martin  Fielding Pvt. 

*Wroblewski,  Andrew  J Pvt. 

*Yount,  Lafayette  E Pvt. 


COMPAXV    "B" 


*Ago.stino,  Leone Pvt. 

*Andcrson,  William  B Pvt. 

*Armstrong,  William  A Pvt. 

*Ballard,  Walter  D Cpl. 

*Beebe,  Legrande PFC. 

*Bowe,  Harvey ' Sgt. 

*Boyer,  Joseph Cpl. 

*Bro.s,  Joseph PFC. 

§Brown,  James  S Pvt. 

*Buck,  Leon  Foster Pvt. 

*Carvelle,  Toney Pvt. 

*Castelloe,  Jack PFC. 

fChaney,  Milo  R PFC. 

*Chellman,  Fredl, Pvt. 

§Cooney,  Martin  J Pvt. 

*Coucher,  Claude  P Pvt. 

fCourtney,  Frank  C Cpl. 

*Coxwell,  Elsie  B Pvt. 

*EUiott,  Stanley Cpl. 

*Evanik,  Thomas  Z Sgt. 

fFrancies,  Joseph,  Jr Pvt. 

*George,  Vincent '. Pvt. 

*Goodwin,  James  D .  .Pvt. 

*Gouin,  Philip  G Pvt. 

fGroh,  Lawrence  D Pvt. 

•Hannah,  Willie  H Pvt. 

fHarvey,  Ira  E Pvt. 

*Hujkle,  Lawrence  E .  Sgt. 

•Hyde,  Allen  K Sgt. 

•Jewell,  Charles Pvt. 

•Johnson,  Carl  Russel Pvt. 

tJohn.son,  John  E Pvt. 

•Judge,  James Pvt. 

§Kavwell,  Ralph Pvt. 

•Kennedy,  Walter Pvt. 

tKowalczyk,  Mike Pvt. 

•Kreck,  Cyril Pvt. 

fKunz,  Louie Pvt. 

•Leforgc,  Carl Sgt. 

•Lenihan,  James PFC. 


•Lesliey,  Benjamin  F PFC. 

fLittle,  Harry Pvt. 

fMartin,  Luther  P Cpl. 

•Maj^eld,  Robert Pvt. 

•Miller,  Henry Cpl. 

•Minale,  Sam Pvt. 

•Nickle,  Charles  L Pvt. 

•Peoples,  Frank  E Pvt. 

•Persinger,  Andy  L Pvt. 

tPeters,  J Cpl. 

•PiccoriUi,  Vincenzo Pvt. 

•Puskor,  Mike Pvt. 

•Reilly,  John  A Sgt. 

tRhodes,  William Cpl. 

•Roberts,  Lawrence Pvt. 

•Robinson,  Seth Pvt. 

•Rooney,  Frank  J Pvt. 

•Salzer,  Louis Pvt. 

fSchmaling,  Victor Pvt. 

•Schmitt,  Charles  \\ PFC. 

•Schock,  Jacob Pvt. 

•Shaffer,  Charles  E Pvt. 

•Shagenaba,  Phillij) Pvt. 

fShaker,  Wencil Pvt. 

•Siler,  Jim  M Pvt. 

tStanley,  Arthur  R PFC. 

tSulUvan,  Charley  B Pvt. 

§Tapager,  Claire  R Pvt. 

•Temple,  Herman  E Pvt. 

•Tiffany,  Homer  O Sgt. 

•Waltman,  George  V,' Pvt. 

•Warner,  Maidson  C Pvt. 

•West,  Charles Sgt. 

tWhite,  Charles  L PFC. 

•White,  Mercellus Pvt. 

§WoUenweber,  Edw  ard Pvt. 

•Woods,  Martin  W Pvt. 

•Wurmbach,  George  A Cpl. 

•Young,  Josejjh  F Pvt. 

•Zolesky,  Stanley Pvt. 


THE   HONOR   ROLL 


275 


16th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "C" 


Name    .  Rank 

*Kimmell,  Harry  L Maj. 

fAgnew,  James Cpl. 

*Allen,  Daniel  J Cook 

*Anacka,  David Pvt. 

tBame,  Harvey  T Pvt. 

llBoczek,  Louis  J Pvt. 

*Boyle,  William Sgt. 

♦Burczyk,  Frank  J Pvt. 

'Campbell,  James  V Pvt. 

§Christenson,  Harry Cpl. 

*Clemons,  Houston PFC. 

tClifton,  Neal  G Pvt. 

*Coffey,  Joseph  E Sgt. 

*Coffman,  Elmer  S Pvt. 

tCondit,  Warren  C Pvt. 

*Cook,  Burkley Cpl. 

♦Costlow,  William  B Cpl. 

*Davis,  Willie  F Pvt. 

*Deneke,  Edgar  C PFC. 

*Dombrowski,  Joseph Pvt. 

tDoyle,  Maurice  J PFC. 

*Dozier,  Roy  C Cpl. 

*Fetzer,  Mike Pvt. 

§Fine,  Earl  L Pvt. 

fFriedl,  George Pvt. 

*Grimmeiss,  John  A Pvt. 

IIHarris,  Arthur Pvt. 

♦Harris,  Robert  D Pvt. 

tHays,  OtisM Cpl. 

tHehns,  Clifford Cpl. 

*Helton,  Henry Pvt. 

*Johnson,  Clarence  C Pvt. 

*Johnson,  Oscar  E Cpl. 

*Johnson,  Waldron  S Pvt. 

*Kalivas,  Chistos  N Pvt. 

*Kenner,  Joseph Cpl. 

*Knapp,  Charley  A Pvt. 

♦Krutulis,  Peter Cpl. 

*Laoy,  Virgel Pvt. 

*Larson,  David Pvt. 

*Lasseigne,  Alcide  C Pvt. 

*Leblanc,  Hazia Pvt. 

*Lehner,  Arthur Cpl. 

*McCarty,  Guy Cpl. 

*McClain,  Burchard  L Cpl. 

*McKeman,  Frank  J Sgt. 

*Maddrell,  Jesse Pvt. 

*Maes,  John  L Pvt. 

*Marlow,  Alfred Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

♦Martin,  Sigdoe Pvt. 

*Massie,  John Pvt. 

*Mevers,  Joseph  C Pvt. 

*Meyers,  Wilfred Pvt. 

fMeyers,  William Pvt. 

*Miller,  George Pvt. 

*Miller,  Harry  N Pvt, 

fMiller,  Howard  H Pvt. 

fMoore,  Charles  S Pvt. 

IINation,  James Pvt. 

*Nowak,  Ivasper Pvt. 

tO'ConneU,  Ray  T Pvt. 

*Ostrow.ski,  Steve Cpl. 

*Owsley,  Frank  Dewey Pvt. 

*Parnell,  James  Edwin Pvt. 

tPeltz,  Morris Pvt. 

llPerkins,  Garrett Pvt. 

♦Perkins,  Robert  Y Pvt. 

♦Peterson,  Roland Cpl. 

♦Ponczoch,  Joseph  A Pvt. 

♦Pond,  Daniel  L Pvt. 

♦Proffitt,  Riley Pvt. 

♦Reichling,  Nicholas PFC. 

§Repoli,  Alphonzo Pvt. 

II  Robertson,  Melvin PFC. 

♦Sampson,  Otis  S PFC. 

tSanders,  Charlie Pvt. 

♦Selden,  John  Glen Pvt. 

♦Semeimeiks,  Gus Pvt. 

♦Shelton,  Curtis Pvt. 

tShook,  William  R Pvt. 

♦Silkwood,  Quinton PFC. 

♦Singly,  Herbert Pvt. 

§Smith,  Samuel  A PFC. 

♦Sons,  William  B Pvt. 

ySpencer,  Knofel Pvt. 

♦Sullivan,  Clarence Pvt. 

♦Syverson,  Miles  R Pvt. 

fToothman,  Kenneth  R Pvt. 

♦Ulrey,  David  R Pvt. 

♦Van  Bibber,  Arling  C Pvt. 

♦Wallingford,  Jim  T Cpl. 

fWatson,  John Pvt. 

♦Wielgosz,  Joseph PFC. 

♦Wiggett,  William Pvt. 

♦Wilber,  William  J Pvt. 

llWilkialis,  Vladislaw Pvt. 

tWiUiams,  Charles  F Pvt. 

♦WUson,  Silas PFC. 


27G 


HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


16th  infantry  (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "D" 


Name  Rank 

*Carcler,  Cyril 2d  Lt. 

*Kellcr,  Wilson  S 2d  Lt. 

tAlhrecht,  Charles Cpl. 

*Andcrson,  Albert Pvt. 

*Avfry,  Charles  E Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Helmlinger,  John  H Pvt. 

tHockl,  Joseph PFC. 

fllopp,  Frank  \V Pvt. 

fJordan,  Jos Pvt. 

*Kazen,  Willis Sgt. 


*Baker,  Robert  L CpJ.      *Keetcr,  Thomas  A Pvt. 


tBall,  William Cpl. 

*Barnum,  Clyde  L Cpl. 

*Bcek,  Henrv-  A PFC. 

*Berry,  Earl  Noble Cpl. 

tBirhanzl,  Thomas Pvt. 

*Blemming,  Raymond  T Pvt. 

§Brechbuhler,  Clyde Pvt. 

*Bryson,  Reed  C Pvt. 

*Carson,  Tom Pvt. 

'Carter,  Thomas  G Pvt. 

*Castas,  Nicholas Pvt. 

*Cavanaugh,  William  H Pvt. 

*Chastain,  Claude  L Pvt. 

*Chaves,  Philip  G Sgt. 

*Clancy,  George Pvt. 

*Colantain,  Antino Pvt. 

tComfort,  Scott  F PFC. 

♦Cousins,  A\'illiam  H Pvt. 

♦Cunningham,  Thomas  F PFC. 

*Diver,  Kermeth  L Cpl. 

♦Damon,  Julius Pvt. 

♦Doris,  Max Pvt. 

♦Draney,  Harold  A Cpl. 

♦Duraska,  Karol Pvt. 

§Dutcher,  Sumpter  P Pvt. 

♦Eskart,  Adolph PFC. 

♦Farrell,  Clement PFC. 

♦Fedorchuck,  Fred Pvt. 

♦Freeborn,  Alexander Cpl. 

♦Gast,  Leo  J Pvt. 

fGirolamo,  Martino Pvt. 

IJGonsalves,  Tony Pvt. 

♦Greenwood,  William  F Cpl. 

tHall,  JohnT Pvt. 

♦Harmond,  Lloyd  J Pvt. 

tHelm,  Clyde  O Pvt. 


♦Knott,  Thomas  L PFC. 

♦Kropp,  Oscar Pvt. 

♦Lavoie,  Leo  J Cpl. 

♦Lay,  Elster  H Pvt. 

§Leggett,  Robert Pvt. 

♦Lighthall,  James  Gordon  Bennett. .  Cpl. 

♦Loeven,  Harry  F Pvt. 

fLong,  Walter Pvt. 

♦Miller,  Henry  L Pvt. 

fMurphy,  Pat Pvt. 

♦Near,  Earl  J Pvt. 

♦Pilawski,  Edward Pvt. 

♦Popow,  John Pvt. 

♦Prichard,  Francis  L Pvt. 

tQuammen,  Elvin  A Cpl. 

♦Rebick,  Peter Cook 

♦Sahm,  Albert  Christian Cpl. 

♦Santee,  Robert Pvt. 

♦Scattelini,  Nararino Pvt. 

♦Schilling,  Erne-st Pvt. 

♦Scott,  William  M Pvt. 

♦Sexton,  John Pvt. 

♦Sipher,  Carol  A Pvt. 

♦Slack,  Billy  B Pvt. 

♦Steighner,  Chris  A Pvt. 

♦Stevel,  Toney Pvt. 

§Supcr,  Irving PFC. 

§Sutphin,  Raymond  A Pvt. 

♦Szawczyk,  Paul Pvt. 

tTippet,  John  R Sgt. 

♦Tyner,  Ellis Pvt. 

♦Wallace,  Harley  E Pvt. 

♦Weeks,  Francis Pvt. 

♦Wiedcnheft,  Edward Pvt. 

fYoungell,  Joe  C Cpl. 

♦Zilkey,  Frank Cpl. 


COMPANY    "E" 


tYoungs,  Homer  A Capt. 

♦Adamec,  Joe Pvt. 

IIAdamkiewicz,  Mat Pvt. 

♦A.shley,  Irving Pvt. 

♦Aslin,  Joseph Pvt. 

♦Bailey,  Vernon Pvt. 


♦Bain,  Earl PFC. 

♦Bartone,  Donato Pvt. 

♦Bates,  Dempscy Pvt. 

♦Bauer,  Herbert  A Cpl. 

♦Bazydlo,  John Pvt. 

♦Bennett,  Dee Cpl. 


THE   HONOR   ROLL 


277 


16th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "E"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Birch,  Ernest  T PFC. 

*Blahoveo,  Vincent  J Pvt. 

*Bobo,  John  A Sgt. 

*Bockenliauer,  Benjamin Pvt. 

fBonnett,  David  E PFC. 

fBowman,  Louis  A Cpl. 

*Bruce,  Harry  G l.st  Sgt. 

*Bruce,  Leslie  J PFC. 

*Burger,  Dewey  M PFC. 

§Cadue,  Frank Pvt. 

*Cala,  Salvatore Pvt. 

*Charifson,  Looes Pvt. 

tChastain,  Johnnie Pvt. 

*Chretien,  Gus Cpl. 

*Cleary,  Thomas  W Pvt. 

*Daniel,  James  Robert PFC. 

♦Darby,  WilUam  J Pvt. 

*Dowd,  Robert  A Pvt. 

tDruminsky,  William  E Pvt. 

§Dukes,  Cleo  W Pvt. 

fFarner,  Robert  E Pvt. 

*Forrest,  Troy  E Pvt. 

*Freeman,  Charles PFC. 

*Fuchs,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Gaddis,  Frank  Leslie Pvt. 

*Gold,  Melve Sgt. 

*Goldhahn,  Henry  L Pvt. 

♦Goodrich,  George  H Pvt. 

*Gossie,  Vincent  P Pvt. 

*Hamm,  August Pvt. 

*Hiltrop,  Albert 1st  Sgt. 

*Hoff,  John Sgt. 

§Hudson,  Henry  J Cpl. 

fHudson,  Jesse PFC. 

*Hughett,  Robert  M Pvt. 

*Humphrey,  John  W Cpl. 

*Hunt,  Paul Pvt. 

*Johnston,  John Pvt. 

II Jones,  Carl Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Kaloumiris,  Peter  E Pvt. 

fKelley,  John  C Pvt. 

fKurkowski,  William  A Pvt. 

*Lamont,  Edward  H Pvt. 

*Laubis,  Harry Pvt. 

*Laverdure,  Fred Pvt. 

fLester,  Dudley  J Pvt. 

*Long,  Carl  E.  O Sgt. 

tMcCartney,  Clarence  G Pvt. 

§McGregor,  Gordon  B Pvt. 

*Mannino,  Pasqual Pvt. 

*Marken,  Albert  I Pvt. 

*Markham,  Avery  E Pvt. 

fMeeks,  Clyde  P Cpl. 

*Moore,  Joseph  L Cpl. 

*Morris,  WiUiam  A Pvt. 

*Mund,  Arnold Pvt. 

*Nankervis,  William ^Cpl. 

§Napieralla,  Standish Pvt. 

*Oelschlager,  Arthur Pvt. 

fOlivette,  Natale Sgt. 

tParfitt,  Thomas  R Pvt. 

*Parker,  Edwin Pvt. 

*Powell,  George  C Pvt. 

§Reid,  Lon  M Pvt. 

*Richards,  John  C Cpl. 

tRoach,  Herbert  B PFC. 

*Rosinski,  Charles Pvt. 

llSchahill,  Patrick Pvt. 

*Scholtz,  Tom Pvt. 

*Schwanz,  Carl  H Pvt. 

*Stott,  James  F Pvt. 

*Tackaberry,  James Pvt. 

*Vestal,  Vance PFC. 

tWarden,  Arbai Pvt. 

*Weigel,  Roy 1st  Sgt. 

*West,  George  E PFC. 

*Winter,  Sheldon Sgt. 

tZion,  Grover  A Sgt. 


COMPANY   "F' 


*Comfort,  Willis  E Capt. 

*Evans,  Edwin  V 2d  Lt. 

♦Golden,  Thomas  M 2d  Lt. 

*Beiter,  Darrell  O Pvt. 

tBlack,  JackW Pvt. 

*Brackem,  Michael  Henry PFC. 

jBowers,  George  Ellis PFC. 


*Buck,  David  A Pvt. 

tBuglass,  Kenneth  G PFC. 

*Cardwell,  Sheridan Sgt. 

*Clark,  Laymend Pvt. 

tCoffman,  Clark  B Pvt. 

*Courcier,  Louis  H Cpl. 

♦Cunningham,  Earl  E Pvt. 


278 


HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 


16th    INFANTRY    (C'ontd.) 


COMPANY 

Name  Rank 

*Curtis,  Henry Pvt. 

fDaniels,  Edward Pvt. 

*Darnell,  Leslie Pvt. 

*De  La  Ronde,  Nelson  R Pvt. 

fDixon,  Roy Pvt. 

*Edwards,  Garrett Sgt. 

♦Enright,  Thomas  F PFC. 

*FlemminK,  Robert  D Pvt. 

fFondren,  John  W Pvt. 

*Fry,  Walter  L PFC. 

*Gehr,  Lee  W Pvt. 

*Geyer,  Leon  F ..PFC. 

*Gie.sting,  Frank .   PVt. 

*Gonzales,  Delfido Pvt. 

*Gresham,  Jame.s  Bethel ....  .   Cpl. 

tHartley,  John  W Cpl. 

*Haught,  James  A Pvt. 

*Hay,  Merle  D Pvt. 

*Hayton,  Lester  D PFC. 

*Hooker,  Karl  M Sgt. 

*Hotz,  Jesse Pvt. 

*Jaap,  Richard Pvt. 

*Jablinske,  Max  R Pvt. 

*Jack.son,  Burwell  C Pvt. 

fJones,  William  F CpL 

*Kimmel,  Ernest  W Pvt. 

*Koppel,  John Pvt. 

*Krech,  William PFC. 

*Lechner,  Frank Pvt. 

*Lehman,  Arthur  C Sgt. 

fMcCammack,  Raymond  E Pvt. 

§McDonald,  Lonzy Pvt. 

tMcGraw,  William  L Pvt. 

*McLachlan,  Robert  P Cpl. 

jMcNulty,  Andrew  J Pvt. 

*Martin,  Christopher Pvt. 

§Master.s,  John  Van Sgt. 

*Miller,  Charles  Ezra PFC. 

tMorley,  William Pvt. 


F"    (Contd.) 

Name  Kank 

*Muller,  Julius  F Pvt. 

*Nary,  Hurdette Sgt. 

*Osborn,  Eddie Pvt. 

fPaeschke,  Ernest Pvt. 

*Park.s,  Robert  R Pvt. 

§Parrott,  Le.slie  P Pvt. 

tPa.squale,  John  M Pvt. 

*Pierce,  LeRoy PFC. 

*Popisil,  Anthony Pvt. 

fPrinke,  John  H Pvt. 

tPrybylski,  Frank Pvt. 

*Przybylski,  Steve Pvt. 

*Raw.son,  Frank Cpl. 

*Rice,  Alfred Pvt. 

§Rippney,  Forest PFC. 

tSchultz,  Edward  M PFC. 

*Schwanz,  Eniil Pvt. 

tStukas,  William PFC. 

*Sullivan,  Jerry Sgt. 

*Sutton,  Fletcher  V Pvt. 

*Swamberg,  Joseph Pvt . 

*Thompson,  Edward  A Pvt. 

*Thompson,  Lawrence  E Cpl. 

*Tooley,  Clint Pvt. 

*Tresit,  Joe Pvt. 

*Trujillo,  Jo.se  F Pvt. 

*Underwood,  Ward  C Pvt. 

§Vana,  Frank PFC. 

*Voigt,  William  W Pvt. 

*Walther,  Clarence  H Pvt. 

tWeaver,  Virgil  Edgar PFC. 

*Werner,  Leslie  E Pvt. 

*Wilkins,  Dean Pvt. 

*Willard,  Lloyd  F Pvt. 

tWilley,  Orteil Pvt. 

♦WilUams,  Ben  Q Pvt. 

*Winkler,  Robert  E Cpl. 

§Wynn,  Aubrey  A.  R PFC. 


COMPANY   "G" 


*Moseley,  Arthur  F Capt. 

*Albrecht,  Gu.st Pvt. 

*Anderson,  WilUam  E Pvt. 

*Andreas,  Rus.sell Pvt. 

tAngelin,  Benegitta Pvt. 

*Babick,  Tony  T Pvt. 

§Barnett,  Charles Pvt . 


*Baughn,  Robert  0 1st  Sgt. 

fBean,  Howard  B Cpl. 

fBogner,  Claude Pvt. 

*Breitenstein,  Edgar Pvt. 

§Briggs,  Clarence  A Pvt. 

§Byholt,  Sam  T Pvt. 

*Calligaro,  Joseph PFC. 


THE   HONOR  ROLL 


279 


16th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "G"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Clark,  Clyde Cpl. 

llClemowitz,  Felix .   Pvt. 

*Cohn,  Samuel Pvt. 

♦Coleman,  Ray  C. Pvt. 

♦Collins,  JoeB Pvt. 

*Cramer,  Chester  E Pvt. 

§Darby,  Eldredge  S PFC. 

tDimon,  Allen PFC. 

fDubiel,  Steve Pvt. 

tEagan,  Charley Pvt. 

IIEdgerly,  Arthur Pvt. 

*Farinosi,  Alphonsn         Pvt. 

fFilipowski,  Jan. .  Pvt. 

*Fonger,  Harry  E Pvt. 

*Forsberg,  Emil Pvt. 

*Frankowicz,  Joseph  I Pvt. 

*Gabe,  .Tames  C Pvt. 

fOardner,  William  S Cpl. 

♦Gilbert,  George  V Pvt. 

tGillespie,  William  L Pvt. 

♦Graves,  Hendrix  L Sgt. 

♦Gray,  Walter  G Pvt. 

♦Goosens,  Oscar Pvt. 

♦Halterman,  Herbert Pvt. 

♦Hardesty,  Thomas  P. Pvt. 

*Hartwig,  Sam Pvt. 

tHiU,  OrusR Pvt. 

♦Hindman,  Robert  r PFC. 

♦Hipsman,  Anton Pvt . 

♦Johnson,  Lee Cpl. 

♦Jones,  Robert  G Cpl. 

♦Jorgensen,  William  W Pvt. 

♦Kermedy,  Roy Pvt. 

♦Knapp,  Roy Pvt. 

♦Kjiute,  Herman  E Sgt. 

IIKorovilas,  George Pvt. 

fKountz,  Jessie  C Pvt. 

♦Kowal,  Paul Cpl. 

§Kuceria,  Charles Pvt. 

♦Landes,  Ray  B Pvt. 

fLarson,  Arthur  C Pvt. 

♦Lizdas,  Martin Pvt. 

tLombard,  George PFC. 


Name  Rank 

♦Long,  Harry  R Cpl. 

♦McLean,  Howard  Grant Pvt. 

fMamp,  Herman Pvt. 

tMaychrycz,  Harry Pvt. 

tMoriarity,  Joseph  T Pvt. 

tMuUms,  Ehjah Pvt. 

♦Newman,  RoUa  M Cpl. 

♦Newton,  Vernie  H Pvt. 

tNickerson,  Ehner  H Pvt. 

♦Niles,  Harry  A Pvt. 

♦O'Donnell,  Fred.  W Cpl. 

♦Pappas,  Harry Pvt. 

tPatterson,  Howard PFC. 

♦Pearson,  Leslie  C PFC. 

♦Pendleton,  Harry  R Pvt. 

♦Petty,  Laurence  P Pvt. 

♦Pevy,  Lewis Pvt. 

fPhillips,  James Pvt. 

fPotucek,  William  J Pvt. 

♦Prophet,  Lonnie Pvt. 

♦Quakenbush,  Clinton  Ford Pvt. 

tReeves,  Clinton  H Pvt. 

♦Richardson,  James  W Cpl. 

♦Sebastain,  Forest  D PFC. 

♦Sendobry,  Ben Sgt. 

♦Shannoff,  Alexander Sgt. 

♦Silverman,  Israel Pvt. 

fStezenko,  Etim Pvt. 

fSwanson,  Carl  J Pvt. 

♦Teague,  Marvin  D Pvt. 

tTempesto,  Donato .  .Pvt. 

♦Tolliver,  Jasper Pvt. 

tTucker,  James Pvt. 

tTullis,  Walter  O Pvt. 

tVallas,  Arist  D PFC. 

♦Wojcieykowski,  Stanley Pvt. 

*Woolsey,  Aubrey Pvt. 

tWootten,  Bert  C Cpl. 

§Wozniak,  Jacob PFC. 

fYacuro,  Mike Pvt. 

♦Yockey,  George Pvt. 

♦Yonke,  Leo Pvt. 


COMPANY    "H- 


♦Moorehead,  James  K 1st  Lt. 

♦Andes,  James  C 2d  Lt. 

♦Coleman,  Elmus 2d  Lt. 

f  Kennedy,  Paul  L 2d  Lt. 


♦Aquilio,  Luigi Pvt. 

fBaker,  Clayton  H Pvt. 

♦BarelU,  Edward  A Pvt. 

fBeckford,  Stephen  M Pvt. 


280 


HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 


l(iTH    INFANTRY   (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "H"   (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Beter,  Charlie Pvt. 

*Biokford,  Ernest  Earl Cpl. 

fBresnihan,  John  W Pvt. 

SBrown,  Floyd  W Pvt. 

§Burns,  William  J Pvt. 

*Bu,skcr,  Joe Pvt. 

§CarIton,  Ernest  P Cpl. 

♦Chipman,  John  C PFC. 

*Cirino,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Cochennour,  Robert  D Pvt. 

*Coyle,  Edward  A 1st  Sgt. 

llCone,  Walter  E Pvt. 

llConte,  Thomas  V PFC. 

tDartt,  Charles  E Pvt. 

*Davis,  Wiley  D Pvt. 

*Dishong,  James  R Pvt. 

tDuBouchet,  Charles  W Pvt. 

*Dyer,  George  E Cpl. 

fEagleson,  Boyd Pvt. 

*]':dick,  Herbert  F Pvt. 

*Engstrom,  Frank  O Pvt. 

§Erickson,  Anrew  E Pvt. 

§EvangeUsti,  Hugo Sgt. 

*Evans,  Fn  dick .  .Sgt. 

tFaravaugh,  Walter  D Pvt. 

*Felinsky,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Flekal,  Frederick  J Pvt. 

*Foster,  Francis Bug. 

fGeorgc,  Edward  S Cpl. 

tGriffin,  Thomas  J Pvt. 

fGutti,  Agostino Pvt. 

*Hart,  George Cpl. 

§Hathaway,  Edward  G Cpl. 

*Heim,  Frank  Joseph Pvt. 

tHoffman,  Charles Cpl. 

*Hoffman,  Frank  S Cpl. 

fllogan,  John  Joseph Sgt. 

fHolmes,  Martin  WilUam Pvt. 

*Horton,  Sherman Pvt. 

§Hubbs,  Arthur Pvt. 

*  Jackson,  William  E Pvt. 

*Jewell,  James  A Pvt. 

*Kadin.ski,  John Pvt. 

jKeffe,  Frank  J Sgt. 

*Kelly,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Kisolowski,  Antoni Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

IIKobus,  Joseph  B Pvt. 

§Krochmally,  Michael Sgt. 

*Lamb,  Norman  H Pvt. 

tLawrence,  James  R Pvt. 

*Leucr,  Harry Pvt. 

*Lichterman,  Abe Pvt. 

*Lozoraski,  O Pvt. 

tMcCauley,  William Cpl. 

fMcHenry,  Hubert  Earl Pvt. 

*McNeely,  John  B Pvt. 

*Maciejkowicz,  John Pvt. 

*Medavvar,  Habit  S Pvt. 

*MiIewski,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Miller,  Royal  D Pvt. 

*Morgan,  Thomas  L Sgt. 

*Oukrup,  Theodore Cpl. 

*Palusjk,  Mike  B Pvt. 

*Pazurek,  Paul Pvt. 

tPerkinson,  Fred Pvt. 

fRisley,  Cris Pvt. 

jRugg,  Jay Pvt. 

§Rose,  Benjamin Pvt. 

*Ruhen,  Gorden Pvt. 

tSawyer,  Joseph  Z PFC. 

♦Sherry,  Claude Cpl. 

♦Smith,  Hiram  L Pvt. 

*Smariak,  Stanley  K Pvt. 

♦Stefenik,  Albert Sgt. 

fStephens,  James  M Pvt. 

*Sticka,  George  W Pvt. 

♦Sullivan,  Emmitt  D Pvt. 

♦Tate,  Edward Pvt. 

tTaylor,  John  W Pvt. 

♦Tramel,  Thomas Pvt. 

tUlijohn,  A.  H Cpl. 

♦Valdez,  John PFC. 

♦VanDe,  Putte  Jos Pvt. 

♦Welborn,  William  E Cpl. 

§Wilgus,  Jolin  W Pvt. 

fWilliams,  Ben  H Pvt. 

♦Wilson,  James Pvt. 

tWyatt,  Walter  W Pvt. 

♦Wysakowski,  WTiadyslaw Pvt. 

♦York,  Loraine Pvt. 

tZurawski,  Oielslaw I'vt. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


281 


16th   infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY  "I" 


Name  Rank 

*Anderson,  Morgan  M 2d  Lt. 

♦Cole,  Sidney  T 2d  Lt. 

*Agiistiak,  Walter Sgt. 

♦Anderson,  Henry  A Pvt. 

♦Anderson,  Robert Pvt. 

♦Andrews,  Albert Sgt. 

fBailey,  John  E Pvt. 

♦Bair,  Maurice Pvt. 

tBarker,  Robert  H Pvt. 

§Barnes,  Loren  R Sgt. 

♦Baudry,  Charles  L Sgt. 

♦Bennett,  Andrew  H Pvt. 

♦Blasyk,  John Sgt. 

tBond,  Arthur  E Cpl. 

♦Burkhardt,  Richard  A Cpl. 

♦Burns,  Ralph  V Cpl. 

§Cantafio,  Joe Pvt. 

tCarr,  Lloyd  E.,  Jr Pvt. 

tCarroU,  William  G Pvt. 

♦Coleman,  Charles  A Cpl. 

♦Cox,  Clifford  F Pvt. 

tCrabtree,  Clarence  D Pvt. 

♦Crump,  Reid  S Pvt. 

♦Cummings,  Wade Pvt. 

♦Czerniejewski,  Mike Pvt. 

♦Dankle,  Raymond  G Pvt. 

♦Dill,  John  Nelson PFC. 

♦Dillavou,  Joy  W Mech. 

♦Dunning,  George  E Cpl. 

♦Dzulinsky,  Stephen Pvt. 

♦Eberhart,  Urvan Pvt. 

tFairfax,  Francis  L Pvt. 

♦Foged,  Lawrence  P Pvt. 

♦Fraley,  John  A Pvt. 

♦Frith,  Thomas  R Pvt. 

♦Gash,  Earl Cpl. 

tGipson,  Harry  M Pvt. 

♦Goodwin,  Alfred  T Pvt. 

♦Griffin,  Ray Pvt. 

♦Herman,  Fred Pvt. 

♦Hinant,  French  D PFC. 

♦Howard,  Chester Pvt. 

♦Hunter,  Welknan  R Pvt. 

II Jainett,  Fred  S Pvt. 

t Johnson,  Carl  B Pvt. 

§Kahn,  Frank  D Cpl. 

♦Kelley,  Michael  F Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

♦Kennedy,  Clarence  E Pvt. 

♦Kielbasa,  Stanley Pvt. 

♦Kolaczynski,  Leo Pvt. 

♦Lampman,  Frederick  W Pvt. 

§Langherst,  Andrew Pvt. 

♦Lewiston,  Clair  O Pvt. 

§Lynn,  Herschel Pvt. 

♦McGrath,  William  P Pvt. 

♦McMillan,  John  A Pvt. 

fMadruh,  Peter Cpl. 

♦Malko,  Mike Pvt. 

♦Mathus,  Clarence Pvt. 

♦Maxwell,  Thomas PFC. 

♦Mayan,  Fred  J.,  Jr Cpl. 

IIMock,  Leslie Pvt. 

♦Moncravie,  Shirley Cpl. 

♦Muscovage,  Stanley  L Pvt. 

♦Nelms,  George Sgt. 

§0'Brien,  William Pvt. 

fOlsen,  AlvaF Cpl. 

♦O'Neill,  James  W Pvt. 

*Reich,  Herman  H PFC. 

♦Roberts,  John  W PFC. 

♦Roberts,  Walter Cpl. 

♦Sampair,  James  Walter Pvt. 

♦Scogin,  Norman  E Pvt. 

♦Scott,  Stewart Pvt. 

♦Scully,  Thomas  P.  Pvt. 

♦Shoup   Merl Pvt. 

♦Shnker,  Fred Pvt. 

llSmith,  Clay Pvt. 

♦SmoUbridge,  Edward  P Pvt. 

♦Sobralski,  Stanley  H Pvt. 

♦Sobul,  Herman  H Pvt. 

fStrebhng,  Furman  D Pvt. 

♦Steighner,  Cris  A Pvt. 

tSteinman,  .Thomas Pvt. 

♦Strunk,  Arnold Pvt. 

♦Sweet,  Leonard  S Pvt. 

♦Wagner,  Charles  J Cpl. 

♦Ward,  Paul  A Pvt. 

♦Warnick,  William Pvt. 

tWeber,  George  F Pvt. 

*Wejls,  Charles  S Pvt. 

♦Yowell,  George  E Pvt. 

♦Zeek,  William Pvt. 


282 


HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 


16th    INFANTRY    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "K" 


Name  Rank 

♦Fuller,  Richard  J 1st  Lt. 

*Kinne,  Harold  E 2d  Lt. 

*Albrcgtson,  Theodore  PFC. 

*Arnold,  Gus .  .Sgt. 

*Ashbrook,  Landon Pvt. 

tBallard,  Forest  C Cpl. 

*Baron,  David Pvt. 

*Bell,  Cara Pvt. 

fBennett,  (Charles  S Cpl. 

*Bennett,  Frank  M Cpl. 

*Bourn,  William  A Pvt. 

♦Brown,  Edward  E PFC. 

*Bruno,  Alfred Pvt. 

tBudko,  Fred Pvt. 

*Busby,  <  >dar  A Pvt. 

*Camuti,  (liovanni .   Pvt. 

*Carey,  I>eo  J Pvt. 

♦Craig,  Frank  Robert Pvt . 

fCrawford,  Lewis  (' Pvt. 

*Curtis,  Alfred  ,J Pvt. 

fDavis,  John  O Cpl. 

*Deller,  Matthew Pvt. 

*Dinardo,  Fernando Pvt. 

♦Downey,  Otha  P> PFC. 

tDrabek,  Jerry PFC. 

♦Elliott,  James  H Pvt. 

♦Eyheralt,  Alexander PFC. 

tOahan,  Ernest  F Pvt. 

♦Gardiner,  Frank Sgt. 

tGauthier,  Fred  J Pvt. 

♦Gottfried,  Frank PFC. 

♦Gray,  Walter  T Sgt. 

tGrooms,  Wesley  J Pvt. 

♦Grover,  James  S Pvt. 

§Hardesty,  Milton  D Pvt. 

♦HLskey,  Harry  I Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

fHudson,  Ralph Pvt. 

♦Klinger,  Arthur Pvt. 

§LaHue,  Wilbur  W Cpl. 

♦Larson,  Charles Pvt. 

tLookcr,  Gilbert  W Mech. 

fLey them,  Lowell  S PFC. 

♦McCormack,  Clarence  V, PFC. 

tMcCoy,  Steve Pvt. 

♦McKenzie,  Frederick  J Pvt. 

♦Mahoney,  Daniel  J Pvt. 

♦Muehlanwag,  William Cpl. 

tMurphy,  Louis Pvt. 

♦Myers,  George  H Pvt. 

tNoor,  John Pvt. 

iJOgden,  Harley Wag. 

tPcarcy,  Henry PFC. 

♦J'earson,  Arthur  J Pvt. 

♦Pittman,  Peola Pvt. 

♦Reyelt,  Helmer  E Pvt. 

♦Rider,  William  D Pvt. 

♦Sanders,  Leo  J PFC. 

♦Sanders,  Sylvester PP'C. 

♦Schisler,  John  Elmer Pvt. 

tShanks,  Luther  Clyde Pvt. 

*Shaw,  Archie  S Pvt. 

§Shortridge,  Lemnel  F PFC. 

tStafTord,  Guy  M PFC. 

♦Standish,  James  F Pvt. 

tValente,  Peter Bug. 

♦Vunderink,  Chris  F Pvt. 

♦Wallace,  Fred Cpl. 

tWarren,  Guy  E Pvt. 

♦Whisenhunt",  Grey  E PFC. 

♦Whitson,  Joe  S PFC. 

♦Wiseman,  Charles  F PFC. 


COMPANY   "L" 


♦Fitzgerald,  Stephen  E 1st  Lt. 

♦Flato,  Walter  C 2d  Lt. 

♦Abicht,  George Pvt. 

♦Anderson,  Edwin Mech. 

♦Barrick,  Harry Pvt. 

tBeckerle,  Louis  F Pvt. 

♦Bennett,  Ora PFC. 

fBerndsen,  William  August Pvt. 

tBolen,  Dor.sie  J Pvt. 

♦Boone,  Ralph  D Pvt. 


fBrown,  Frank  H Pvt. 

♦Brown,  Walter  L Sgt. 

§Conlon,  William Pvt. 

fCrabtree,  Paul Pvt. 

♦Cumpton,  Arch  D Pvt. 

♦Curtis,  Joe Pvt. 

♦Day,  Douglas Sgt. 

♦Draganjao,  Mike Pvt. 

♦Dumew,  Elmer Pvt. 

♦Eccles,  Claude Sgt. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


283 


16th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "L"    (i\mUl.) 


Name  Hank 

fEno,  I.  L Cpl. 

*Evans,  Alonzo Sgt. 

*Garlancl,  Grady  L Pvt. 

tGoddard,  Leon  E Pvt. 

*Greeuwood,  James  Edward Pvt. 

fHagen,  Loren Pvt. 

§Hamilton,  John  W Pvt. 

♦Hannah,  Ehner  E PFC. 

fHarelson,  Ruben  B Pvt. 

*Harris,  John  H Pvt. 

fHeller,  Richard  W Pvt. 

tHeyde,  Albert  D Pvt. 

JHoey,  John  E Pvt. 

*Hylkenia,  Hielk Pvt. 

*Jordan,  CUfton  M Pvt. 

fJustice,  Louis  Oleany Pvt. 

§Kerr,  Lee Pvt. 

*Kruger,  Ben  A Pvt. 

*Lack;ey,  John  W Pvt. 

*Lawrence,  Frederic Pvt. 

*Lawson,  Calvin  J Pvt. 

*Leggins,  Leo  G Pvt. 

*Lonning,  Bert  B Pvt. 

*Lou,  John  W Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Lyons,  Isaac  H Pvt. 

*Mattox,  Harley  H Pvt. 

*Melcher,  Alphonse PFC. 

tMi-xtacki,  Adam Pvt. 

*Mooney,  George  E Pvt. 

*Murphy,  William  H Pvt. 

§Nygren,  Hugo  P Pvt. 

*Petersen,  Jim Pvt . 

*Rockweli,  James  C Pvt . 

§Rogers,  Harvey Pvt . 

*Rosnoke,  Dillo Pvt. 

*Schallhammer,  Frank Pvt. 

*Schmitz,  Bernard Pvt. 

*Segu.sy,  Jo.seph Pvt. 

tShankle,  Willie  W CpL 

f.Shurtleff,  Bernard  C Pvt. 

*.Swats,  Cecil  F Cpl. 

*Trazewski,  Albert Pvt. 

*Urbanowski,  Henry PFC. 

tWheatley,  Hurley Pvt. 

*Willis,  Wilbert Pvt. 

*Wilson,  Curtis  J Pvt. 

*Yetter,  George Cpl. 


COMPANY   "M" 


*Linn,  Frank  C,  Jr 2d  Lt. 

*Bawens,  Frank Pvt. 

fBlotte,  Dominick PFC. 

tBrenner,  Charles Pvt. 

tBuchanan,  David  V Pvt. 

fButeau,  Lawrence  J Pvt. 

llChannon,  John Pvt. 

*Cropper,  Marshall  C Pvt. 

*Dailey,  Howard  J Pvt. 

*Dalton,  Eddie  A Pvt. 

*Enright,  James  D Cpl. 

IIFleming,  John  H Pvt. 

*Flynn,  Edward  A Pvt. 

*Foley,  Edward  H Sgt. 

*Gates,  Austin  J .  Pvt. 

♦Graves,  Claude  P PFC. 

§Green,  Alden  B Pvt. 

*Grimes,  William  T Pvt. 

*Groh,  Lawrence  D Pvt . 

*Guenther,  WiUiam  E PFC. 

*Hable,  John  A Pvt. 

*Hacket,  AUo Pvt. 

♦Hamilton,  Thomas  C Pvt. 


fHansen,  Joe  M Cpl. 

*Hiser,  London  F Pvt. 

♦Johnson,  Henry  J Pvt. 

t Johnston,  Henry  I Pvt. 

♦Jones,  James  S PFC. 

♦King,  Willard  S Pvt. 

♦Kowasevich,  Tady Pvt. 

fKozacyzk,  Wazy Pvt. 

§Kubicki,  Alojzy Pvt. 

♦Labish,  John  J Pvt. 

♦LaFazia,  Carlo PFC. 

fLaraent,  Peter Pvt. 

fLeifer,  Jacob Pvt. 

♦Lisles,  Bernie Pvt. 

♦Lynch,  James  D Pvt. 

♦McCarty,  Dean  C Pvt. 

tMcHugh,  Patrick Pvt. 

♦Madala,  Frank Pvt. 

§Malmberg,  Albert  W Pvt. 

♦Marra,  John Pvt. 

♦Martin,  David Pvt. 

§Martiney,  Joseph Pvt. 

♦Mauney,  Clarence Pvt. 


284 


HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 


16th    INFANTRY    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "M"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

♦Miller,  Clark  G Pvt. 

♦Mink,  Orville  L Pvt. 

*Mooney,  Clarence Pvt. 

§Nelson,  Garrett  Q Pvt. 

tOstapino,  Emil PFC. 

tPanozzo,  Domenic Pvt. 

§Pemberton,  Floyd Pvt. 

§Reid,  Lon Pvt. 

§Roe.sen,  Hymen Cpl. 

tRo.se,  Tony Pvt. 

*Rowold,  Ernest  H Pvt. 

fSchneider,  Harry Pvt. 

fShellenbarger,  Abraham Pvt . 

*Simonson,  Glen  S Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Spigelmire,  Ira  V Pvt. 

♦Sternberg,  Louis  A Cpl. 

llStotler,  Je.sse PFC. 

fStruckman,  George  H Pvt. 

*Titulaer,  .Jo.seph Cpl. 

fToles,  Donald  Taylor Cpl. 

*Trent,  EUge Pvt. 

tVan  Dan,  William Pvt. 

♦Wilson,  Claude  D Pvt. 

tWilson,  John  P Pvt. 

*Winehradcky,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Woodward,  Hugh  S Pvt. 

fZnedarsic,  James Pvt. 


18th    infantry 
FIELD   AND   STAFF 


♦Griffith,  Richard  H Lt.  Col. 

fHand,  Russell  Clarkson Lt.  Col. 

♦Common,  Edward  R 1st  Lt. 

♦Doherty,  John  A 1st  Lt. 

♦Gaylord,  Luther  Russell l.st  Lt. 


♦Graham,  John  R 1st  Lt. 

fMcCoy,  George  Baldwin 1st  Lt. 

tMarsh,  Luther  H 1st  Lt.  (Chap.) 

fPalache,  James .2d  Lt. 

♦Pollard,  Fred  Dobson 2d  Lt. 


HEADQUARTERS   COMPANY 


fMarlatt,  George  E 2d  Lt. 

fBarrett,  John  P Band  Leader 

♦Babin,  Allen Pvt. 

♦Balton,  William  Burke Pvt. 

♦Bohn,  Charles  E Sgt. 

♦Boldt,  William  A Sgt. 

♦Browne,  George  J Pvt. 

♦Brzyski,  Joseph Pvt. 

♦Buckley,  Fred PFC. 

fDell,  George  W Pvt. 

♦DreUch,  Alex Cpl. 

fDuck,  Paul  Ira Pvt. 

♦Fall,  William  Thomas Pvt. 

♦Flack,  PifordL Pvt. 

♦Francisco,  Albert  T Pvt. 

♦Garber,  Efton Pvt. 

♦Glader,  Ferdinand  P Pvt. 

♦Haring,  Theodore  J Cpl. 

♦Has.sell,  Zola  G Sgt. 

fHawkins,  Fred  W Pvt. 

fHelm,  Orion Mus.  2d  CI. 

♦Hogan,  Thomas  P Pvt. 

tHooper,  William  E.  J Cpl. 


fjohnson,  Dayle  E Cpl. 

tJohn.son,  Gerhard  J Pvt. 

♦Johnson,  Melvin  T PFC. 

t Joyce,  John  R Pvt. 

§Keller,  Emmett  W Pvt. 

fKillgore,  Feland  W Pvt. 

♦King,  John  E Pvt. 

♦Kinnaird,  James  H Pvt. 

♦Kirby,  Manoah  J Cpl. 

fKline,  William  J Sgt. 

§Lacey,  Carl  T Pvt. 

♦Laughlin,  George Pvt. 

fLes,  Zenovi Pvt. 

♦Linton,  John Pvt. 

♦Lynch,  Michael Pvt. 

tMcDaniel,  Orhe  K PFC. 

♦McKay,  Roy Bn.  Sgt.  Maj. 

♦McKibbin,  Eugene  C Sgt. 

fMcMaster,  Charles  K Sgt. 

♦MacDonald,  Patrick  J PFC. 

§Melching,  Carl  L Pvt. 

♦Morris,  William  C Pvt. 

♦NorseU,  Carl  G Pvt. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


285 


18TH    INFANTRY    (Contd.) 
HEADQUARTERS  COMPANY   (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

tPeters,  Gordon  G Pvt. 

*Pigg,  William  L Pvt. 

*Piuggi,  Joseph PFC. 

tPolatas,  John  C Pvt. 

tPrice,  Robert  L Pvt. 

♦Randall,  Martin Pvt. 

♦Robertson,  Curtis  B Pvt. 

♦Rogers,  Marion  E Pvt. 

*Schlicht,  George  M Pvt. 

♦Schneider,  Frank  Joseph Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

fSeder,  Thomas  C Pvt. 

♦Shaw,  Walter  Gray Mus.  2d  CI. 

tSmith,  Firman  R PFC. 

♦Southerlin,  Richard  H.  Pvt. 

tSpeck,  Thomas Cpl. 

tSurface,  Henry  O Pvt. 

fTaylor,  Harry Pvt. 

♦Vogel,  John  W Pvt. 

§Wright,  William  R PFC. 


SUPPLY   COMPANY 


♦Brewer,  Tipton  Ira Wag. 

♦Callender,  Dolbert  F Wag. 

tHickman,  Delbert  M Pvt. 


§Mahon,  George Pvt. 

§Morris,  Jaseph  A Pvt. 

tStipe,  Charles  H Wag. 


MACHINE   GUN   COMPANY 


fTaylor,  Ewing  M Maj. 

♦Edwards,  Adrain  C 2d  Lt. 

♦Andelstedt,  Raymond  D PFC. 

♦Conover,  Richard  S Cpl. 

♦Cronan,  Tom  C Cpl. 

♦Davis,  George Pvt. 

♦Edson,  Elmer  G Pvt. 

fEichhorn,  Sanford  C Cpl. 

fFowler,  Reuben Pvt. 

♦Gazanego,  John Pvt. 

♦Gilhnan,  Walter Pvt. 

♦Gooch,  Bernard  B Cpl. 

§Howard,  Jim PFC. 

♦Isenberg,  Joseph  W Sgt. 

♦Jones,  Alfred  P Pvt. 


♦Kalad,  Albert  O Pvt. 

♦King,  Felix  M Cpl. 

♦Kopinski,  Sylvester Sgt. 

♦Mattson,  August Cpl. 

§Monahan,  Earl  C Pvt. 

♦Moneyhun,  Ralph  C Pvt. 

§Nolan,  Murt Pvt. 

§0'Connell,  Thomas  J Pvt. 

tPatten,  Melvin  C Pvt. 

♦Sanders,  Willie  B Pvt. 

♦Sargent,  Arthur  R PFC. 

§Schaeter,  Louis  C Cpl. 

tVogel,  William Cpl. 

♦Walton,  WiUiam  R Pvt. 


MEDICAL   DETACHMENT 


♦Summers,  Davis  K 1st  Lt. 

§Beach,  Paul  C Pvt. 

tCIark,  Clarence PFC. 

♦Cooke,  Cecil  F PFC. 

♦Easter,  Ray  Russel Pvt. 

fFalUn,  George  H Pvt. 


fGreve,  Ernest  P Pvt. 

♦Hilton,  John  H Pvt. 

tMartin,  WilUam  F PFC. 

♦Patrick,  Valdia  C Pvt. 

tSullivan,  Walter  H Sgt. 


COMPANY    "A" 


Deevy,  William  J 1st  Lt. 

♦Ancontius,  George Cpl. 

♦Baar,  JohnC PFC. 

♦Bachara,  Emil Sgt. 

§Bedenbaugh,  Amon  L Pvt. 

♦Beltinokoff,  Frank PFC. 


♦Blue  Earth,  Richard Cpl. 

♦Bohrano,  Cournealious Pvt. 

♦Bramlett,  Charlie  H Pvt. 

♦Bremner,  William  A Cpl. 

♦Bunting,  Roy  H Pvt. 

♦Burnett,  Mack Pvt. 


2SU 


HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 


18th-  infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "A"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Bums,  John  W Pvt. 

*Cano,  Theofilo PFC. 

♦Carter,  Isaac  H PFC. 

llCarty,  Perley  C Pvt. 

*Centers,  Jesse Sgt. 

*Cheathan,  John  T PFC. 

*Clark,  Henry  E Pvt. 

*Cory,  Lester  R Pvt. 

*Coyne,  Patrick  J Pvt. 

*Croll,  Louis PFC. 

*Davidovitch,  Andre Cpl. 

*Daykin,  Glen  H Pvt. 

*Diekhaus,  William  A Pvt. 

*Ditaranto,  Dona  to Pvt. 

*Donner,  Arno  G Pvt. 

*Ewing,  Eugene  Ellis Pvt. 

*Famofo,  Brasso Pvt. 

*Flaczynski,  Martin Pvt. 

fGardner,  Tom  F Cpl. 

tGorcister,  David Pvt . 

*Graiper,  Joe Pvt. 

*Gra.s.s,  Albert Pvt. 

*Griffy,  Claude  M..  PFC. 

fGuissppi,  Farmichi Pvt. 

§Hartigan,  Richard PFC. 

fHilt,  Leonard Cpl. 

*Howard,  Raymond  J..  PFC. 

tHunter,  John  R Pvt. 

*James,  Sidney Pvt. 

*Johnson,  Frank Pvt. 

*Johnson,  Gay Pvt. 

*John.son,  William Pvt. 

*Johnston,  John  A Cpl. 

*Kasiewicz,  John Pvt. 

*Kellington,  James  A PFC. 

*Kiely,  John  J PFC. 

tKing,  Ehner  H PFC. 

*Kunz,  Thomas Pvt. 

*La  Jeunesse,  Eugene  A Pvt. 

*Lcsley,  Roy Pvt. 

fLong,  Tim Sgt. 

tMcSwiggan,  Charles Cpl. 

*Magsig,  Charles  V Pvt. 

*Mang,   Edward Pvt. 

tMarcuzzi,  Lawrence PFC. 


Name  Rank 

*Maushum,  Julius  C Pvt. 

*Miller,   Michael  Pvt. 

*Mitringa,  Paul PFC. 

fMolono,  Angelo Pvt. 

*Momber,   .Joseph  C,  Jr Pvt. 

*Mullins,  Troy Cpl. 

tOddo,  Sam Pvt. 

*Ousley,  Louis Pvt. 

§Owens,  David  C CpL 

*Pecora,  Alphonso Pvt. 

*Price,  Thomas  M Cpl. 

tRadcliff,  William  A Pvt. 

fRamien,  Harry Pvt. 

*Reed,  Norman  M IVt. 

*Richards,  Fitzhugh  S Cpl. 

*Roach,  Robert  N Sgt. 

*Roll,  Carroll  C Pvt. 

tRuhling,  Joseph  Valentine Pvt. 

*Russell,  Samuel PFC. 

*Ryan,  William  F Sgt. 

*SaastaymoinPn,  Anth.     -  .   Pvt. 

*Schottinger,  John  J PFC. 

*Scoloro,  Nunzio Pvt. 

*Scott,  David PFC. 

*Searfass,  Benjamin Pvt. 

♦Seegers,  Emil  W Sgt. 

*Seeland,  Albert Pvt. 

*Shaw,  Arthur  E Pvt. 

*Sidman,  Elmer  T Pvt. 

*Singhaus,  Howard  C Pvt. 

fSittalotta,  John  M Pvt. 

*Slay,  Le-ster Pvt. 

tSmith,  Arthur  M Pvt. 

*Smith,  Wilham PFC. 

♦Smith,  Willie Sgt. 

tStickney,  Edwin Pvt. 

*Stolowski,  Stanley PFC. 

*Stoltman,  Frank PFC. 

fStone,  George Pvt. 

*Suddaby,  Ernest Cpl. 

♦Valentine,  John Pvt. 

*Van  Alstine,  James  R Pvt. 

*Wittmayer,  Edwin  W PFC. 

♦Wood,  George  H Pvt. 

tZiegeweid,  Frank  J Pvt. 


COMPANY   "B' 


♦Groogan,  Earl  J 1st  Lt. 

tRosequist,  Carl  Oscar 1st  Lt. 


♦Adams,  William  T Sgt. 

•Albrecht,  Albin  A PFC. 


THE   HONOR   ROLL 


287 


18th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "B"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

tAllen,  Frank  C Pvt. 

'Anderson,  George PFC. 

*Arnone,  John Pvt. 

*Behm,  Charles  F Pvt. 

♦Bergm,  Francis  Mathew Pvt. 

*Blaek,  Charles  A PFC. 

fBoetker,  Charles  H Pvt. 

♦Bolen,  Robert  L Pvt. 

*Brand,  Ben Pvt. 

*Bredehoft,  Carl  F PFC. 

*Breseman,  Frederick  \V Pvt. 

§Britten,  Math Pvt. 

*Buuck,  Henry  C Pvt. 

*Chimoroski,  Aaron Pvt. 

*Coyle,  Thomas  Ellsworth Pvt. 

'Cunningham,  Harry  W Pvt. 

tDarling,  Roily  W Pvt. 

jDeGree,  Wilford Pvt. 

fDickson,  Arthur  V Pvt. 

fEdwards,  Morris  J Pvt. 

fEngelman,  Joseph Pvt. 

§Erickson,  Christian Pvt. 

*Ford,  LeeP PFC. 

*Fortson,  Howard  L Pvt. 

fOage,  Bishop  L Pvt. 

fGerow,  William  H Pvt. 

*GiImore,  Archie  Leroy Pvt. 

*Gonder,  Amos  R Pvt. 

*Goss,  Ernest  Canfiel Pvt. 

fGraves,  Robert  H Sgt. 

♦Haeeker,  George PFC. 

*Hart,  Edward Pvt. 

*Heath,  Everett  M Pvt. 

*Heifner,  Rolfe  E Sgt. 

♦Howard,  Frank  W Cpl. 

*Jalbert,  Jules Pvt. 

*  Johnson,  Henry Pvt. 

t Johnson,  Richard  C Pvt. 

§Kaspar,  Emil  J Pvt. 

♦Keeling,  Howard  S PFC. 

*Kley,  John  A Pvt. 

*Kolbe,  Henry  E Pvt. 

*Korstad,  Edwin Pvt. 

fKosturos,  Nicholas Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Kowalski,  Frank Pvt. 

*Kruse,  Charles  F Pvt. 

tLadd,  Albert  F Pvt. 

*Lankes,  Anthony  G Pvt. 

*Larsen,  George  T PFC. 

§Ledbetter,  Leland  H Pvt. 

*Lenox,  Clarence PFC. 

*Levison,  Louis Pvt. 

IILewis,  W.  B Pvt. 

fLindemarm,  Frederick Pvt. 

*Lopes,  Manuel  M Pvt. 

*McAUister,  Wayne PFC. 

tMcCourt,  Edward Pvt. 

JMarlin,  Cash  M Pvt. 

*Middleton,  Hiram Cpl. 

§Miller,  Otto Cook 

♦Morrison,  Senan PFC. 

*Mundell,  Charles PFC. 

fNanis,  Angelo Pvt. 

tNeiberding,  George  W Pvt. 

*Nolen,  Johnie PFC. 

*Nunn,  Francis Pvt. 

*Nygaard,  Martin  J Pvt. 

♦Pictzak,  Mike PFC. 

fPontious,  Russell  M Pvt. 

*Reed,  David Pvt. 

*Ross,  James Sgt. 

*Rusinski,  Hip Pvt. 

fSanderson,  John  C Cpl. 

*Sesto,  Henry Pvt. 

♦Smith,  Vernon  O Cpl. 

tStaggs,  Fred  E Cpl. 

♦Stewart,  Bee Pvt. 

♦Strange,  Osmond Pvt. 

♦Streng,  Louis  A Cpl. 

♦Swank,  Ralph Cpl. 

fSwann,  Archie Pvt. 

§Tack,  Claude  W Pvt. 

♦Taylor,  Robert  A Pvt. 

♦Wagner,  Henry  W Cpl. 

♦Wheeler,  Commie  D Cpl. 

llWold,  Joseph Pvt. 

♦Wood,  Bert  O PFC. 


COMPANY   "C 


tCarlson,  Otto 1st  Lt. 

fHoward,  George 1st  Lt. 

tSheppard,  George  S 1st  Lt. 


♦Amodei,  Anthony Sgt. 

fArcher,  Everett Pvt. 

♦Austin,  Amos  L Pvt. 


288 


HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


18th    infantry    (Contd.) 


COMPAxNY 

Name  Hank 

*Bailey,  Harold  E Pvt. 

*Beech,  William  F Cpl. 

fBenjainin,  James  E Pvt. 

fBraaflat,  Theodore  S Pvt. 

*Bromige,  Alfred Cpl. 

*Campbell,  Francis  E Pvt. 

♦Chalmers,  Tom  B Cpl. 

§Christin.son,  Martin Pvt. 

*Conrad,  Adrian Pvt. 

tConrad,  Lawrence  E Cpl. 

tCote,  Philias Pvt. 

*Cross,  Waite  Alfred Pvt. 

fDavenport,  Earl Pvt. 

*Davis,  Alexander PFC. 

tDeitsch,  Eugene PFC. 

*Diamond,  Francis Pvt. 

*DiSabatino,  Francisco Pvt. 

*Dixon,  Elbert  E Pvt. 

♦Elliott,  Clyde Pvt. 

*Erickson,  Kort  H Cpl. 

♦Everett,  John  H Pvt. 

♦Fletcher,  Kenneth Pvt. 

♦Frickert,  William Pvt. 

♦Galloway,  Newman  J Pvt. 

♦Green,  Otis  D Pvt. 

llGrovum,  Robert Pvt. 

♦Guiseppe,  Pilegrino Pvt. 

♦Hargett,  James  B Pvt. 

♦Havron,  Walter  A Pvt. 

♦Heerwagen,  Fred  A Pvt. 

♦Hendrickson,  Hans  P Pvt. 

♦Henry,  Harry  J Pvt. 

fHoban,  Michael Pvt. 

♦Home,  Orbon  J Pvt. 

fHortz,  Henry  Fay Pvt. 

♦Hovencamp,  Leon  E Pvt. 

♦Huber,  Frank  A Pvt. 

♦Jacob,  Emil  A Pvt. 

♦Jacobson,  Martin  A Pvt. 

tJones,  Fred  E Pvt. 

fKapitzke,  WiUie Pvt. 

tKarvalis,  Anigetas Pvt. 

♦Kline,  Ward  R Pvt. 

♦Klopfen.stein,  John Pvt. 

♦Kringel,  Albert  C Pvt. 

♦Kurtz,  Charles  A Pvt. 

♦Kush,  Michael Pvt. 

♦Lannon,  Claud Pvt. 


'C"    (ConUl.) 
Name  Rank 

♦Lano,  William Pvt. 

♦Lewis,  Herman Pvt. 

§Liebler,  F^arl  N Pvt. 

tMarco,  John Pvt. 

♦Martin,  Charles  W Pvt. 

♦Mathewson,  Claude PFC. 

♦Mayhue,  Wilbur  A Pvt. 

tMeskov.sky,  Tony Pvt. 

♦Mix,  Austin  M PFC. 

♦Mleziva,  Jacob  J Pvt. 

§Nelson,  Henry  W Pvt. 

♦Nelson,  Irvin  S Sgt. 

♦Nichols,  Emil  F Pvt. 

tNolte,  Louis Pvt. 

♦Norutavice,  Walter Pvt. 

♦Obolewicz,  Michael Pvt. 

♦Parsons,  Edgar Pvt. 

fPeebles,  Sidney  G Pvt. 

♦Raymond,  Oda  S Pvt. 

fRobin.son,  Harrj'  G Pvt. 

fRoche,  John  Miner Pvt. 

♦Rogers,  Frank,  Jr Pvt. 

♦Rounds,  Don  C Cpl. 

♦Rowley,  Arthur  S Pvt. 

♦Sadler,  Haskel Pvt. 

♦Sailor,  Lee  O Cpl. 

♦Sanders,  Walter  W Pvt. 

tSchuetta,  Charles PFC. 

♦Seller,  Conrad Pvt. 

§She.sho,  Theodore Pvt. 

♦Slingluff,  James  Monroe Pvt. 

♦Smith,  John  A Pvt. 

§Smith,  Joseph  W Pvt. 

♦SmuUen,  Daniel  James Pvt. 

♦Spring,  Frank  E Pvt. 

♦Stahl,  Tracy  W Pvt. 

llStrausbaug,  Arthur Pvt 

♦Swanson,  Martin Pvt. 

♦Teague,  James  W Pvt. 

♦Thornburgh,  Roy  E Sgt. 

♦Tibbetts,  George  E Cpl. 

♦Tillman,  Anthony Pvt 

♦Tipps,  John  F Sgt. 

♦Vranesich,  Mathew Sgt. 

♦Welch,  Floyd  K Pvt. 

tWitcik,  Edwin  H Pvt. 

♦York,  Hugh  N Pvt. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


289 


18TH    INFANTRY    (Contd.) 


COMPANY   "D" 


Name 

*Desmond,  Thomas  Whitty.  , 

*Arinstrong,  John  \V.. 

*Ash,  Joseph 

*Ballard,  Smith  F 


Rank 
Ist  Lt. 
Cpl. 
Pvt. 
Pvt. 


*Bannister,  John  S Pvt. 

♦Batten,  Roy  C Cpl. 

*Bavalley,  Lawrence  P. .  Pvt. 

*Benton,  Fredigert.  .  Pvt. 

*Belz,  John Rgt. 

*Bredel,  Bernhard  S Pvt. 

*Brown,  James  F Pvt. 

*Burgess,  George  Guy Cpl. 

fCarter,  Albert  L PFC. 

♦Chandler,  Edgar  R Pvt. 

*Cip,  Joseph  L Sgt. 

tClark,  Walter  I Pvt. 

fClifford,  Andrew  O PFC. 

*Coyne,  Charles Pvt. 

*Crespo,  Horace  M Pvt. 

♦Cumberland,  James  F Pvt. 

IIDaigle,  Adee Pvt. 

*Davis,  Eugene  L Bug. 

♦Deardosky,  John Pvt. 

♦Deasley,  Jerry  Simpson Sgt. 

*Dunsing,  Jacob Pvt. 

♦Dyecko,  Samuel Pvt. 

♦Emanuel,  Themis Pvt. 

♦Faltz,  Deemer  H Pvt. 

§Feller,  Ernest Pvt. 

♦Fisheros,  Spiros Sgt. 

♦Fitzpatrick,  Patrick  J Sgt. 

♦Fleigelman,  Max Cpl. 

♦Frazier,  William Pvt. 

♦Fuller,  Marion  F Pvt. 

♦Gola,  John Pvt. 

♦Gordon,  Clyde  A Pvt. 

♦Gould,  Frederick  W Pvt. 

♦Graves,  Dan  T Pvt. 

fGruchala,  Walter Pvt. 

♦Gusisie,  Francis  R Pvt. 

♦Haigler,  Henry  M Cpl. 

tHall,  Robert  J Cpl. 

♦Harlechick,  Berhara Cpl. 

§Harrington,  Russell  R Pvt. 

♦Haynes,  William Pvt. 

♦Hines,  Earl  Honest Pvt. 

♦Holecheck,  Joseph Cpl. 

♦John.son,  Levi  D Cpl. 

fJone.s,  Samuel  C Sgt. 


Name  Rank 

♦Kalfayan,  Mike  M Pvt. 

♦Karczmarzyk,  Marion Cpl. 

tKlomp,  Edward  G Pvt. 

fKuehn,  George  H Cpl. 

♦Lasley,  Charles Pvt. 

§Laggett,  Robert  B Pvt. 

♦McCarty,  Eugene  H Pvt. 

♦Mclntyre,  John Pvt. 

♦McLearley,  Andrew  J.,  Jr..  PFC. 

§Mallory,  Willie  L Pvt. 

♦Marino,  Edward  J Sgt. 

♦Marquess,  Robert  Cody Pvt. 

♦Martin,  James  P Cpl. 

♦May,  Fred  A PFC. 

♦Melchi,  Manfred  L Cpl. 

♦Mims,  Arthur  L Pvt. 

♦Montague,  Latney  Y Pvt. 

tMoore,  Harry  R Cpl. 

♦Myers,  Stanford  A Cpl. 

♦Nardella,  James Pvt. 

♦Orrichiello,  Vincenzo Pvt. 

♦Qveraas,  Johane Pvt. 

♦Piglowski,  John Pvt. 

♦Pipes,  Hinkle  J Pvt. 

♦Plunkett,  Paul Pvt. 

♦Raabe,  Theodore  E Pvt. 

♦Rachinsky,  Kaiton Sgt. 

fRagsdale,  Joe  M Pvt. 

♦Reed,  Carl  W Pvt. 

♦Rickerson,  Luther Pvt. 

♦Robertson,  Henry  J PFC. 

♦Rohrer,  Jacob  E Pvt. 

IIRosival,  Henry Pvt. 

♦Rosen,  Isadore Sgt. 

♦Ryeholm,  Gunner Pvt. 

tSadgman,  Chnton  B Cpl. 

♦Schreier,  Fred Pvt. 

♦Schubert,  George Pvt. 

♦Schultz,  Alfred  H Pvt. 

♦Schultze,  Fred Pvt. 

fShaner,  Charles  Alonza Pvt. 

♦Shank,  Robert  Albright Cpl. 

§Shields,  John  A Pvt. 

♦Sims,  Walter  M Pvt. 

♦Smith,  John  W Pvt. 

♦Starr,  Isidor Pvt. 

♦Sturtevant,  Ira  Leo Pvt. 

fTennyson,  Henry  P Pvt. 

♦Treat,  Everett  S Pvt. 


290 


HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


18th   infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "D"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

tVavTOsky,  Robert Pvt. 

*Wainwright,  William Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

tWallner,  Albert  W Pvt. 

*ZoelIner,  Kobert Pvt. 


COMPANY   "E' 


'Campbell,  George  A Capt. 

♦Arthur,  John  F 2d  Lt. 

♦Bloecher,  Raymond  F 2d  Lt. 

fMeehan,  George  R 2d  Lt. 

*Abele,  Clyde Pvt. 

*Atkins,  Rufus Pvt. 

*Barnett,  FiUmore Sgt. 

*Bendixon,  Henry  R Pvt. 

fBooth,  Willis Pvt. 

♦Bright,  John Pvt. 

§Bullard,  John  A Pvt. 

tCallahan,  Marcus  E PFC. 

fCazort,  Okey  E Pvt. 

•Chilcoat,  William  W Pvt. 

tClark,  William Pvt. 

§Curth,  Ernest  F Cpl. 

tDavis,  Jay  B Pvt. 

*Dronovec,  Frank Pvt. 

fDuplessis,  Louis Pvt. 

♦Ecker,  Anton  H Cpl. 

IIEdin,  Wilham Pvt. 

*Egert,  Earnest Pvt. 

*Ehrhart,  Anton Pvt. 

IIElvey,  Thomas  Earl Pvt. 

•Erickson,  Gustaf  A PFC. 

*Ervin,  Charles  G Pvt. 

♦Farrel,  John Pvt. 

*Farup,  Paul PFC. 

*Foley,  Lawrence  A Sgt. 

•Foster,  John  Chester Cpl. 

♦Frilling,  Edmund  Frederick Pvt. 

tGainer,  Irwin  E Pvt. 

*Geroux,  John PFC. 

tGivens,  Hilton PFC. 

tGlance,  Harold  Jacob PFC. 

tHall,  GlenL Cpl. 

fHanson,  Marvin  E Pvt. 

IIHarris,  Earl  V Pvt. 

*Helsel,  Willard  H Pvt. 

*Hickey,  Lester Pvt. 

*Howell,  Harry Pvt. 

tHulcher,  Frank  G PFC. 

§Hulst,  Herman Pvt. 

•Ingenito,  Joseph PFC. 


t James,  Frank Sgt 

fJenkins,  Homer  Belle Pvt. 

tKarpatra,  Louis Pvt. 

*Keefe,  Harry  T PFC. 

fKeefe,  Walter  J Pvt. 

♦Kershaw,  Wilham  D Pvt. 

llKober,  Paul  J Pvt. 

♦Koch,  August  Edward PFC. 

§Leuderalbert,  John  E Pvt. 

♦Littlefield,  Bert Pvt. 

♦Lock,  Jorgen  P Pvt. 

♦Loerpabel,  Guy Pvt. 

♦Lowery,  William Pvt. 

♦Lupo,  Francis  Z Pvt. 

♦Malesyko,  Waladslaw.  . PFC. 

♦Mandick,  Peter Pvt. 

♦Miers,  Frank Cpl. 

tMitchell,  John PFC. 

fMize,  William Pvt. 

♦Moore,  Albert Pvt. 

§Mulligan,  Edward Pvt. 

♦Neary,  David  W Cpl. 

♦Nelson,  Lee  W Pvt. 

tOrr,  William Pvt. 

♦Pariseau,  Joseph Pvt. 

♦Perry,  Ora  Lester Pvt. 

llPerry,  William PFC. 

||Polejew.ski,  Alexander  J Cpl. 

tPotter,  Patten Pvt. 

♦Reilly,  James Pvt. 

lIRohe,  John Pvt. 

♦Rowbotham,  Lester  D Pvt. 

♦Russell,  Charles  L Pvt. 

♦Sczepnick,  Martin PFC. 

♦Smith,  Marshall  C Pvt. 

♦Sutter,  Henry PFC. 

♦Thonip.son,  Lavern  J Pvt. 

tTom.shak,  Joseph  J Pvt. 

♦Trowbridge,  Sherman Pvt. 

♦Udelhouen,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Venezule,  John Pvt. 

♦Williamson,  John Pvt. 

♦Woodward,  Lascie  S Sgt. 


THE   HONOR  ROLL 


291 


18th   infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "F" 


Name  Rank 

*Able,  Jacob Pvt. 

*Allen,  Nathan  G Pvt. 

*Andres,  Herman  F Pvt. 

fArmstrong,  Howard Pvt. 

*Barthelette,  Patrick Pvt. 

*Bartol,  George Cpl. 

fBaxter,  Joseph Sgt. 

*Bellino,  Frank Pvt. 

*Bernardo,  Bianco Pvt. 

*Bovee,  Clinton  M Pvt. 

*Brenner,  William  A Pvt. 

*Brown,  John  C Cpl. 

♦Burnett,  Luther  L Pvt. 

♦Carlson,  Exel  T Pvt. 

*Catherwook,  Patrick  J PFC. 

llCermak,  Edward  C Pvt. 

*Childers,  Wilmer  L Pvt. 

*Christensen,  Dan  P Cpl. 

fCoughlin,  John  J Pvt. 

tCranna,  John  P Cpl. 

*Crice,  John  W Pvt. 

*Dalton,  William  J Pvt. 

*Dommel,  Elmer  B Cpl. 

*Dubbs,  Forest  E Pvt. 

*Eichenlaub,  George Pvt. 

*Erickson,  Gunnard Pvt. 

*Estle,  George PFC. 

*Everingham,  Clarence  H Pvt. 

fFinamore,  Rizzerio Pvt. 

*Fontenot,  Octave Pvt. 

♦Foreman,  Charles PFC. 

tGates,  Millard  M Pvt. 

*Gengler,  John Pvt. 

♦Goodwin,  William  H Bug. 

fHagen,  Albert Pvt. 

♦Hansen,  Wilder  C Pvt. 

♦Hanson,  Ray  A Mech. 

tHedeen,  Omar  C Pvt. 

♦Held,  Clarence  A Pvt. 

tHerthia,  Isaac Pvt. 

♦Hill,  George  W Pvt. 

♦Jeffres,  Clovis PFC. 

§Jenamaun,  Michael Pvt. 

§Jensen,  Chris Pvt. 

fJensen,  Emil Pvt. 

♦Johns,  Forest  G PFC. 

♦Keogh,  James  J Pvt. 

♦Kincannon,  Willie Pvt. 

♦Klemme,  Edward Cpl. 

♦Krusac,  Michael Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

♦Lamp,  Walter Pvt. 

♦Lawrence,  Leon  M Pvt. 

♦Leisgang,  George Pvt. 

fLetteri,  Carmine Pvt. 

♦McGill,  George  E Pvt. 

♦Macciocca,  Guisseppe Pvt. 

♦Madsen,  Ray Pvt. 

tMassey,  Hoyt  S Cpl. 

♦Matthews,  Ward Cpl. 

♦Metzger,  OUver  C Pvt. 

♦Milstead,  Carlos Pvt. 

♦Moore,  Artie Pvt. 

fMorehead,  John Pvt. 

tMoyers,  Lelon  W Pvt. 

♦Nelson,  Arthur  James Pvt. 

IINewlin,  Robert  L Pvt. 

tOgle,  Elmer Pvt. 

♦Olsen,  Peter Pvt. 

§Onczar,  Stanley Pvt. 

♦Payne,  James  L Pvt. 

♦Plogger,  Fred  A Sgt. 

♦Podolnik,  Ladislaw Sgt. 

♦Quigno,  Henry Pvt. 

fRagland,  Talmage Pvt. 

tRatliff,  William Pvt. 

♦Renfrew,  Earl  E Pvt. 

§Richardson,  William  R Pvt. 

IIRoach,  Bruno Pvt. 

tSanderson,  Walter  C PFC. 

♦Schmersal,  Leo Pvt. 

♦Schwartz,  Meyer Pvt. 

♦Simpson,  Lonnie Cpl. 

llSophia,  Julius  C Pvt. 

fStoddard,  Marion  F Bug. 

yStuart,  George Pvt. 

♦Stumpf,  Rudolph  M Pvt. 

♦Swiderski,  Serafin PFC. 

tTate,  Albert  L Cpl. 

♦Taylor,  George  Hartley Pvt. 

♦ThaldorfT,  Walter PFC. 

♦Thomas,  Anton Pvt. 

tWagner,  Glenn Pvt. 

♦Weber,  Edward  M Pvt. 

♦Weimer,  Guy  L Pvt. 

♦White,  James  H Pvt. 

•  t'v'hitish,  George  D Pvt. 

fWitover,  Louis Pvt. 

♦Wolfe,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Zangara,  Thomas Pvt. 


2!  (2 


HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 


18th   INFANTRY    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "G" 


Name  Rank 

tArnoId,  Floyd  E 1st  Lt. 

*Adams,  Gussie  L Sgt. 

*Adams,  John Pvt. 

*Allen,  Alva Pvt. 

'Atkinson,  Clemmie Pvt. 

*Barr,  George Pvt. 

fBeatty,  Eugene  E Pvt. 

*Berinchik,  Nicolai Pvt. 

*Bolchen,  Dominic Pvt. 

*Brewer,  Robert  Allen Pvt. 

♦Brown,  Edward  F Pvt. 

*Bukovi,  Nick Pvt. 

*Burke,  John Pvt. 

*Carminc,  Chiapetta Pvt. 

fCarroU,  WiUiani  C Pvt. 

*Caudle,  Juett Cpl. 

*Clay,  Floyd  Wilson Sgt. 

*Clayton,  Francis  A Pvt. 

*Coleman,  Andrew  N Pvt. 

fColtenbaugh,  Grant  M Pvt. 

§Cottrell,  Roy Pvt. 

*Cox,  Byron  C Cpl. 

tCrumb,  Artie  Grey Pvt. 

fDale,  Helge Pvt. 

fDeal,  Claude  L Pvt. 

§Dezewieck,  Antoni Pvt. 

♦Diamond,  Francis Pvt. 

*Dickerson,  Paul Cpl. 

fFaverlukc,  Samuel Cpl. 

*Frazier,  Alex Pvt. 

*Frederickson,  Lorenzo Pvt, 

*Freid,  Bernard Pvt. 

*Frodl,  Vincient  F Cpl. 

tGates,  Carroll  C Pvt. 

*Goldberg,  Abraham  I Pvt. 

*Griffin,  Luther Cpl. 

♦Griffith,  Arlow Pvt. 

♦Harrison,  Forest  H Pvt. 

♦Hatcher,  William  F Cpl. 

♦Haubris,  Paul  F.,  Jr Pvt. 

♦Heckleman,  Charles Pvt. 

♦Hendricks,  Henry  J Pvt. 

♦Heuer,  Edward  L Pvt. 

♦Hirsch,  Samuel Pvt. 

tHorn,  Fred  J Pvt. 

♦Horsey,  Paul Cpl. 

fJackson,  Allec Pvt. 

♦Jones,  George  A Cpl. 

♦Jones,  Marcus Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

♦Kallas,  Krist Pvt. 

IIKelley,  Ruthledge  J Pvt. 

♦King,  Thomas  A Pvt. 

♦Kingerly,  Ralph  T Pvt. 

IIKirkhoff,  Arthur Pvt. 

♦Klein,  Homer  W Pvt. 

♦Laskowski,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Lee,  George  W Pvt. 

♦Lewis,  William  H Pvt. 

♦Loaring,  Arthur  T Pvt. 

♦Long,  Samuel  R Pvt. 

§McCallister,  David  H Cpl. 

fMacarthy,  Lester Pvt. 

♦Malewicz,  Ignatz Pvt. 

♦Marks,  WilUam Bug. 

♦Martin,  Louis  Stanley Pvt. 

tMason,  William Sgt. 

§Melvillc,  George  H Pvt. 

♦Midwood,  William  R Pvt. 

♦Miller,  James  R Pvt. 

♦Miller,  Joseph  Oscar Pvt. 

§Miller,  OlUs  R Pvt. 

§Morris,  Guy  A Pvt. 

♦Munier,  John  F Pvt. 

fNichiporuk,  Srefen Pvt. 

jNickerson,  Leland  S Pvt. 

fOsborne,  Alfred  James.  . Cpl. 

♦Ostrowski,  Joseph Pvt. 

tParg,  Alois  A Pvt. 

♦Peck,  William  H Sgt. 

♦Phillips,  Hett Sgt. 

§Pich,  Arnold  C Pvt. 

fProtzuk,  George Pvt. 

♦Randon,  Luigi Pvt. 

tRay,  Birt Pvt. 

♦Regan,  William  E Pvt. 

tRhoads,  Leland  R PFC. 

fRose,  Frank Cpl. 

♦Rotherham,  Arthur  J Pvt. 

fRuste,  Robert  A Cpl. 

♦Rutledge,  Harr\- Pvt. 

fSager,  Raymond  D Pvt. 

tSchryer,  Earl  James Pvt. 

♦Schubert,  George Pvt. 

§Schwartzbcrg,  Abraham Cpl. 

♦Schwei,  Robert  L Pvt. 

♦Scott,  Robert  F Pvt. 

♦Sedlock,  George Pvt. 

♦Sheehan,  George  W Cpl. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


293 


18th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "G"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

fSmits,  Henry PFC. 

*Snethen,  Edgar Pvt. 

*Stamper,  Clyde  R Cpl. 

*Stevenson,  John Pvt. 

*Stewart,  James  D Cpl. 

fSzafran.ski,  .Joseph Pvt. 

*Walentic,  Marcus Sgt. 


Name  Rank 

tWelsh,  .Joseph Pvt. 

jWest,  Joe  Ruby Pvt. 

*Wethington,  Wilford PFC. 

*\Villiamson,  Tom ...    Pvt. 

nVulf,  William  B Pvt. 

*Yindra,  James PFC. 

*Yuswick,  Charles Pvt. 


COMPANY   "H' 


*McNie!3h,  Welcome  H 1st  Lt. 

*Young,  Townsend 2d  Lt. 

jArmstrong,  Mervin  J PFC. 

*Banville,  John  J Pvt. 

fBazin,  Charles Cpl. 

*Bean,  Frank  A PFC. 

§Beaumier,  George Pvt. 

*Bion,  Frank  A Pvt. 

*Bond,  Arthur  F Pvt. 

*Bonney,  Joseph  W Pvt. 

tBrenton,  David   C Cpl. 

fBrown,  Charles  O Cpl. 

*Brown,  Johnie Pvt. 

*Butler,  William  E Pvt. 

*Cannell,  Stanley  W PFC. 

*Carlson,  Ernest  P Pvt. 

*Claypool,  Elza  H Sgt. 

tCIear,  John  F.  J..  Pvt. 

*Day,  John Pvt. 

tDean,  O.  C Pvt. 

♦Dobbins,  William  H Pvt. 

*EngUsh,  George  Dewey Pvt. 

*Erdwein,  William  G Pvt. 

*Fenhouse,  Albert  E Pvt. 

*Fishback,  Mike Cpl. 

*Foust,  EarlO Pvt. 

*Francis,  William  H Pvt. 

fGeiser,  John  W Cook 

*George,  Peter Pvt. 

§Green,  Mathew Pvt. 

*Hamway,  Sam PFC. 

*Heldman,  Claude  E Pvt. 

tHill,  William  T Cpl. 

*Hilt,  Ralph  D Bug. 

tHudson,  Eugene  E Pvt. 

*Hughes,  Russel Pvt. 

*Kahpka,  Joseph Pvt. 

•Kleber,  Otto Sgt. 

fLaucjs,  Joe Pvt. 


tLee,  Tommie  C Pvt. 

*Lentz,  Albert  J Pvt. 

tLewis,  liobert  M Pvt. 

*Lindskog,  Elmer  F Pvt. 

*Lippineott,  Leon  A Pvt. 

tLyell,  Justin  O Pvt. 

*McDonald,  Harry Pvt. 

*Madison,  Mathews  P..  .    PFC. 

tManning,  Richard  S.. . .  ,    PFC. 

*Martin,  Robert Pvt. 

*Matthews,  WilUam  F Pvt. 

tMiller,  Fred  A Pvt. 

*Miller,  Fred  C Cpl.. 

fMixson,  Sammie Pvt. 

*Moon,  EUisJ Sgt. 

*Nelson,  William .  ,  Pvt. 

*01eary,  Patrick Pvt. 

tOwsiany,  Casmir PFC. 

tPapernick,  Henry Pvt. 

*Parmley,  Ralph  R Sgt. 

*Peterson,  Edward  C Pvt. 

llPierce,  Phillip Pvt. 

tPoulter,  Charles PFC. 

*Price,  Oscar  P Pvt. 

fRaineri,  John Pvt. 

fRains,  John  H Pvt. 

*Ribkee,  Ehner Pvt. 

tRosen,  Abe Pvt. 

*Ryan,  WiUiam  F Sgt. 

*Ryder,  Ray Pvt. 

*Sabatinno,  Leno Pvt. 

*Sagle,  Louis  W Sgt. 

*Sailor,  George  W Pvt. 

*Samnler,  Lawrence Cpl. 

*SchIick,  Peter  J Cpl. 

*Seeley,  Oscar  J Cpl. 

*Shear,  Jasper  E Pvt. 

§Steed,  William  E Pvt. 

tStilabauer,  Charles  E Pvt. 


294 


HISTORY   OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 


18th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY  "H"   (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

fTout,  Leroy Pvt. 

*Waseleski,  Frank  J Pvt. 


Namk 

*  Watts,  James  ^\'ilson. 


Rank 
.Pvt. 


COMPANY   "I" 


*Hoover,  Stewart  W Capt. 

*Selby,  Harry  J Capt. 

*Hhoads,  ,Iohn  \V 2d  Lt. 

*Annis,  Clarence Pvt. 

*Bausch,  William Pvt. 

*Beck,  Charles  \V Pvt. 

*Blasingame,  Joe  J PFC. 

*Bourdon,  Everett  J Pvt. 

*Bowman,  Dewey  G Pvt. 

*Boyce,  James Pvt. 

*Bresnan,  William  F Pvt. 

*Brown,  Vese  G Pvt. 

*Carrender,  William  O Pvt. 

fCoston,  Earl  M Pvt. 

*Cram,  Earl  W Pvt. 

*Curry,  Earl Pvt. 

*Daniezewski,  Julius Pvt. 

*Davis,  George  W Pvt . 

*Davis,  Harold Pvt. 

§Depril,  Remy  A Cpl. 

tDickerson,  Clayton  M Pvt. 

*Dickie,  David Pvt. 

tDufendach,  Mark  C Cpl. 

*Eager,  Fred  M Pvt. 

IIEberhart,  Daniel  W Pvt. 

*Ehlet,  Henry PFC. 

*Fair,  Nate  I Pvt. 

*Farrar,  James  B Sgt. 

*Farrell,  Joseph  J Sgt. 

•Flanagan,  Charles  A Pvt" 

fFrank,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Freezel,  Meek Pvt. 

*Fulkerson,  Ernest  B Pvt. 

tGarrity,  James  Joseph Cpl. 

*Girado,  Samuel Pvt. 

•Griffith,  George  Dewey Pvt. 

§Gustafsen,  Benjamin Pvt. 

*Halverson,  John Pvt. 

*Ham,  WiHiam  M.  H PFC. 

tHarris,  William  H Pvt. 

tHatchard,  Wallace  A Pvt. 

*Herbon,  Hewy  G Pvt. 

♦Herman,  Maurice  F Pvt. 

♦Hillert,  Gustave Pvt. 


*Hirsch,  Louis Pvt. 

*Holden,  Charles  S 1st  Sgt. 

IIHood,  Isaac PFC. 

*Horan,  Thomas  J Pvt. 

*HufT,  Howard  M.  F Pvt. 

*Hume,  Forrest  T.  D Pvt. 

*Hunter,  Clarence Cpl. 

♦Kallas,  Gust PFC. 

*Kantz,  Jay  S Pvt. 

*Kehoe,  Thomas  Leo Sgt. 

*Keller,  Claude Pvt. 

*Kelley,  Sidney Cpl. 

*Kinney,  Isaac  Lester PFC. 

*Kirkey,  Raymond Pvt. 

*Krause,  John  H Pvt. 

fLarson,  Clarence  A Pvt. 

*Larson,  Peter Pvt. 

*Leffew,  Louis  E Pvt. 

*Leigh,  Charles  Edward PFC. 

*McClure,  Hillary  F PFC. 

*McHugh,  Patrick  G Pvt. 

*McKinnley,  William PFC. 

tMadson,  Harry  J Pvt. 

|[Manning,  James  J Pvt. 

'March,  Erwin Cpl. 

*Martin,  Patrick  H Pvt. 

tMattingly,  Emil  G.  J Cpl. 

*Midak,  Frank Pvt. 

*Miller,  Lloyd Pvt. 

tMiller,  Louis  S Pvt. 

*Moreau,  Arthur Pvt. 

*Nehronberg,  David  D Pvt. 

*01son,  Knette Pvt. 

*Ost,  ^\'illiam Pvt. 

*Parks,  Theron Pvt. 

*Peplin.sky,  Peter PFC. 

•Pickles,  Sidney  R Pvt. 

•Porthan,  Ivar Pvt. 

§Rasler,  Edward  S Pvt. 

•Rauh,  George  A Pvt. 

•Redemski,  Richard Pvt. 

•Register,  Lorton  W Pvt. 

•Rcsnick,  Sam. Pvt. 

•Rohacek,  Martin Sgt. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


295 


18th   infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "I"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

fRowell,  Harold  A Pvt. 

*Saja,  Joseph. Pvt. 

tScharnell,  Peter Cpl. 

tSchultz,  Walter Pvt. 

*Seelig,  Harry  F Pvt. 

*SheIlberg,  Tust Pvt. 

*Sikes,  James  C Pvt. 

*Silakowski,  Brune Pvt. 

fSmiler,  Louis Pvt. 

tSmith,  James  A Sgt. 

§Smith,  Perley  V Pvt. 

tSnyder,  William  B Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Spence,  Edward  L Sgt. 

*Straka,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Swartz,  Oscar Pvt. 

*Symanowicz,  Martin Pvt. 

*Taraoka,  John Pvt. 

*Teti,  Vineenzo Pvt. 

§Thomas,  John  W Sgt. 

*Tracy,  Walter  P Pvt. 

*Vincenzo,  Lucisano Pvt. 

*Wendell,  Peter  F Pvt. 

*WormJight,  Lester  H Cpl. 


COMPANY    "K' 


tArnold,  James  Porter Capt. 

fOill,  Robert  S Capt. 

tQuesenberry,  Joseph Capt. 

•McHenry,  Otto  C 2d  Lt. 

*Axelson,  Herman Pvt. 

*Bender,  Ralph Pvt. 

*Bemabec,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Boggs,  Eph Cpl. 

*Bray,  Albertus Pvt. 

tBrown,  Eddie  Michael Mech. 

*Busch,  Chris Pvt. 

tCar.son,  James Pvt. 

*Coleman,  Sidney  Lee Pvt. 

*Copacea,  Tony PFC. 

*Cox,  Elbert  H Sgt. 

fCrunkilton,  James  F Pvt. 

*Czaia,  Stanislaw Sgt. 

*Dalton,  Leonard Pvt. 

fDavis,  Harry Pvt. 

*Dempsey,  Duffey Pvt. 

*Dinando,  Umber Pvt. 

*Dunn,  William  B Cpl. 

fEarnest,  John  B Pvt. 

*Eustace,  Richard Pvt. 

*Evans,  George  W Pvt. 

*Farr,  William Pvt. 

*Fiori,  Amadoo Pvt. 

tFitzgerald,  Edward  J Pvt. 

•Francis,  Samuel  P Pvt. 

*Fresonke,  Henry. Pvt. 

*Gard,  Fred Pvt. 

*Garman,  Harry  V Pvt. 

tHacker,  Lee Sgt. 

tHanson,  Arthur  C Cpl. 


•Harold,  Otto Pvt. 

tHart,  John  J Pvt. 

•Hayes,  Fred  E Pvt. 

*Henson,  Gene  G Pvt. 

•Herden,  Erich Sgt. 

fHiggin.s,  Elmer  J Cpl. 

fHite,  Edward  W Pvt. 

•.Jenkins,  Luther  K Pvt. 

•Jenkins,  Willard  L Pvt. 

•Jones,  Barnett Pvt. 

•Kaiser,  Jo.scph Pvt. 

•Kidd,  James  W Pvt. 

•Krokus,  Matheos  D Pvt. 

•Kuhnle,  Edward  H Pvt. 

•Lafever,  Claud Pvt. 

•Lange,  Adelard Pvt. 

§Ledford,  William  Russell Pvt. 

§Leslie,  William Pvt. 

•Levering,  Jake Pvt. 

•Lewis,  Ennis Pvt. 

•Lionette,  Frank  F Pvt. 

•Lozinski,  John Pvt. 

fMcCarthy,  James Pvt. 

•McNulty,  Edward  H Pvt. 

•Malpass,  Allen  F Pvt. 

fMashburn,  William  B Cpl. 

•Meisels,  Samuel  B Pvt. 

•Menter,  Lcland  R Pvt. 

§Mercuri,  Angelo Mech. 

fMeyer,  Henry  Rudolph Pvt 

tMilan,  Homer  H Pvt. 

•MoUps,  Joan  Da  Costa Pvt. 

§Morken,  Henry Pvt. 

•Murr,  Russell  A Pvt. 


296 


HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 


18th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "K"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Mun-ay,  Clifford Pvt. 

*Necdleman,  Irving Pvt. 

*Ne.sbitt,  Athie  H Pvt. 

fNorman,  Je.s.sie  J Pvt. 

*Oktavec,  Edward Pvt. 

*01ian,  Isidor Pvt. 

fPaonc,  Raphael Pvt. 

*Parish,  Joseph Sgt. 

*Pearson,  Axel Pvt. 

♦Peters,  Charles  F Pvt. 

§Petterson,  Alak Pvt. 

*PriestIey,  Roscoe  R Mech. 

*Repsdorf,  John Cpl. 

tRoberts,  Carlton  D Pvt. 

♦Roshke,  Sam Pvt. 

tRoth,  Alexander  J Pvt. 

*Schotte,  Henry  F Pvt. 

tSchroeder,  Henry  H Pvt. 

♦Schumann,  Max  E Pvt. 

♦Shoemaker,  Gust  D Pvt. 

♦Shumate,  Lenley Pvt. 

♦Skolnick,  Herman Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

tSmith,  Oliver Pvt. 

§Smith,  Percy  A Pvt. 

tSmyden,  Frank  J Pvt. 

jSnyder,  Frank  J. .  .       PFC. 

♦Sosnowski,  Stanley Pvt. 

♦Souza,  Mathew  B Pvt. 

♦Spangler,  Joe Pvt. 

♦Spetz,  Loyd  W Pvt. 

♦Stanton,  Archibald  L Pvt. 

♦Stewart,  Herbert  J Pvt. 

♦Strafford,  Edward  J Pvt. 

♦Swanson,  Paul  A Pvt. 

♦Timm,  Benno Pvt. 

♦Uh-ich,  Rudolph Pvt. 

tUren,  Thomas  George Sgt. 

♦Warner,  Lawrence Cpl. 

tWilliams,  James Pvt. 

♦Winebrenner,  Virgil  G.     .    Cpl. 

♦Wojtalowicz,  Peter Pvt. 

tWolcott,  Earl  W Sgt. 

fWrona,  William Cpl. 


COMPANY 


tAchen,  Glen  L Pvt. 

||Amundson,  Haakon  M Pvt. 

♦Amundson,  Harry  R Pvt. 

♦Anthony,  Snider Pvt. 

♦Antkowiak,  Peter  John PFC. 

♦Bas.suth,  Joe  J Pvt. 

§Bedell,  Samuel  Holmes Pvt. 

♦Bible,  Earl Pvt. 

♦Blair,  John Pvt. 

♦Bunco,  Arthur  H Pvt. 

♦Burden,  Mila  C Pvt. 

§Bushey,  Edward  Deforest Pvt. 

♦Cissell,  William  C PFC. 

♦Cohn,SolB Pvt. 

♦Cole,  OraC Pvt. 

♦CoUum,  Jonnie  M Pvt. 

♦Conner,  William  M PFC. 

♦Cox,  Albert  L Pvt. 

♦Craig,  Cecil  C Pvt. 

§Cruts,  Irvin  I Pvt. 

♦Curetto,  Vittorio Pvt. 

♦Dismang,  John  R Pvt. 

fDivinc,  Ernest Pvt. 

♦Doctor,  David Pvt. 


♦Durand,  Simeon  J Cpl. 

fDuwe,  William  E Pvt. 

♦Eason,  Paul PFC. 

♦Fabian,  Charles  W Pvt. 

♦FafH,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Fast,  Harry Pvt. 

§Feezel,  Meek Pvt. 

♦Fickert,  Otto  W Pvt. 

♦Freeman,  A.J Pvt. 

♦Green,  John  W Pvt. 

♦Grong,  Ole PFC. 

♦Herbon,  Henry  G Pvt. 

♦Hill,  Robert  W Pvt. 

♦Kraft,  WilUam  C Sgt. 

♦Lamerson,  Venerble  O Pvt. 

♦Larendeau,  Harry  H Pvt. 

♦Lenardson,  Carl  C Pvt. 

♦McGee,  Vaughn  Thearan PFC. 

♦Madison,  Harry  D Pvt. 

♦Mansfield,  Harold  H Pvt. 

♦Moore,  Peter Pvt. 

fO'Brien,  David  K Pvt. 

♦O'Connell,  Thomas  J PFC. 

♦Patrick,  Albert Pvt. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


'_'<.I7 


18th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "L"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Pearsall,  Kaymond  B Pvt. 

*Peden,  William PFC. 

*Peterson,  Christ  A Pvt. 

fPoulson,  Delmar  A. . .  - Pvt. 

*Radolski,  John Pvt. 

*Roehrig,  Richard Pvt. 

IIRutz,  Henry  G Pvt. 

fSayer,  Louis  C Pvt. 

tSmiley,  Charle.s Pvt. 

*Smith,  Emerson Pvt. 

*Smith,  .Joseph  Russell Pvt. 

*Smith,  Sidney  Lawrence PFC. 

§Sneve,  Eddie Pvt. 

*Snider,  Anthony PFC. 

*Spacek,  Louis  W Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Speaks,  Thomas  B Bug. 

*Spro\vl,  Wilson Pvt. 

^Sternberg,  Fred  C Pvt. 

*Sullivan,  Raymond Pvt. 

*Thrall,  Dewey  O PFC. 

*Trone,  Chester  F Pvt. 

tTurnbow,  Jake  P Cpl. 

*Tyson,  Thomas  J Pvt. 

fWclch,  Andrew  N Pvt. 

*Wcndland,  Frank  H Cpl. 

*Whittier,  Willis Pvt. 

*Wisner,  Everett  K Pvt. 

*Yokem,  Virgil  L Pvt. 

fYoung,  Marlen  N Pvt. 


COMPANY   ":\I" 


fTomlinson,  John  Bryan Capt. 

*David,  John  H.,  Jr 1st  Lt. 

*Hutchinson,  Robert  J 1st  Lt. 

fRinger,  Harvey  C 1st  Lt. 

tAllen,  JohnS Pvt. 

*Appel,  Joseph  P Cpl. 

fBankston,  ^^'illiam  Early Pvt. 

§Beck,  Oscar  W Pvt. 

fBender,  Benjamin  F Pvt. 

fBooher,  Robert  C Bug. 

*Brams,  Magnus  M Pvt. 

*Byard,  Fred  D Cpl. 

*Camacco,  Angelo Pvt. 

llCampbell,  John  L Pvt. 

tCarter,  Russell  E Pvt. 

*Chappel|  Lemuel  A Pvt. 

*Coleman,  Matthew  F Pvt. 

*Colon,  Frank  M PFC. 

*Cook,  Albert Pvt. 

*Crane,  Edward  B Pvt. 

*DanieIs,  Frank Pvt. 

fDolin,  James  O Pvt. 

*Driscoll,  Richard  A Pvt. 

*Eickmcier,  George  H Pvt. 

*Farren,  Harry  J Pvt. 

§Floris,  Fino Pvt. 

fGannon,  Joseph  A PFC. 

jGearin,  John  P Pvt. 

§Gelard,  Ben Pvt. 

*Glidwell,  Richard  L Pvt. 

fGood,  Irl Cpl. 

fGostowski,  Stanley Pvt. 


*Greenvoldt,  Frank  K Pvt. 

§Grovuin,  Lewis  T Pvt. 

*Haas,  Doss  B Pvt. 

fHager,  Jacob Pvt. 

tHarmon,  Ottis  T Pvt. 

tHerrick,  Ovid Pvt. 

tHolmquist,  Ernest  N Pvt. 

*Huggins,  Reid  M Pvt. 

II Jordan,  Richard  A Pvt. 

Mules,  Davis Pvt. 

*Karwelat,  August,   Jr Pvt. 

fKeUiher,  William  F Pvt. 

IIKerr,  D.ale  C Pvt.' 

tKey,  William  L Cpl. 

fKizale,  Peter  P Pvt. 

*Kollar,  .John Pvt. 

IlKruk,  Thomas  J Pvt. 

tLazzara,  Frank Pvt. 

*McIvinley,  Thomas  Joseph Pvt. 

fMedo,  Paul PFC. 

*Millard,  Clyde Pvt. 

fMitchell,  Roland  Adrian Pvt. 

*Moore,  Harold  A Pvt. 

tMurphy,  Thomas  Philip Pvt. 

*Nakenschnig,  Wasilig Pvt. 

tO'Brien,  I^xtrick  J Pvt. 

§Peterson,  Carl  V Pvt. 

*Peterson,  Edward Pvt. 

*Pettry,  Frank Pvt. 

§Pierson,  Arthur  H Cpl. 

*Radi,  LeoE Pvt. 

tRogers,  Joseph  V Pvt. 


2ns 


HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


18tp   infantry   (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "M"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

§Roland,  John  H Pvt. 

*Roney,  Dwight  M Pvt. 

*Sadofsky,  Walter Pvt. 

tScher,  Edward Pvt. 

tScotillo,  Paul  A Pvt. 

*Sosterhenn,  Joseph Cpl. 

tShulor,  Findley  M Pvt. 

§Sniar,  Stephen Pvt. 

§Stauffer,  J.  Raymer Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

♦Steele,  Leo  iNI Pvt. 

*Stiller,  Alvin  C Sgt. 

tStoffel,  Peter  S PFC. 

*Szotonkiewiez,  Anthony Pvt. 

jThompson,  Liitie  W Pvt. 

IITrutka,  Alexander Pvt. 

*Vin.son,  Frederick  P Pvt. 

yWallace,  John Pvt. 


2d  machine  gun  BATTALION 

FIELD  AND  STAFF 

tPryor,  John  P Capt.       *Hussell,  Lloyd  B Capt. 

INIEDICAL   DETACHMENT 

♦Miller,  Elmer  D Pvt.      *Pilcher,  Arthur  C Pvt. 

♦Miller,  John  F Pvt. 

COMPANY   "A" 


Name  Rank 

tAchenbach,  Max PFC. 

♦Baetz,  Leonard  E Pvt. 

*Barau.ski,  Zygmund Pvt. 

♦Barben,  Walter  A Pvt. 

♦Brook,  Charley Pvt. 

♦Brown,  Robert  Tate Pvt. 

♦Cavalli,  Mike  A Cpl. 

♦Conti,  Congezio Pvt. 

♦Cotter,  Martin 1st  Sgt. 

tFeinsod,  Max Pvt. 

tFisher,  Henry  S Pvt. 

♦Floyd,  James  C Pvt. 

♦Gill,  Bernard  A Cpl. 

§Green,  John  H Pvt. 

♦Guylcr,  Paul  E Pvt. 

♦Hail,  Richmond Pvt. 

♦Hallisey,  John  Thomas Sgt. 

♦HefTernan,  Paul  E Pvt. 

♦Rusted,  Harvey  M Pvt. 

♦Jacobson,  Oscar Pvt. 

♦Johnson,  Ernest  H Pvt. 

♦Johnston,  David  M Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

fKaczor,  Joseph Sgt. 

♦King,  Frank  M Pvt. 

♦Kinney,  Roland  A Pvt. 

♦Kirby,  Charley  F Pvt. 

♦Koelin,  Gustave  W Pvt. 

♦Kur.ski,  Peter Pvt. 

tLilly,  Napoleon  B Cpl. 

♦Lucchessi,  Francisco Pvt. 

♦McNabb,  Robert Pvt. 

♦Mallory,  Lewis  N PFC. 

♦Miller,  Carl  E Cpl. 

♦Nowell,  Carlton  D Pvt. 

♦Parr,  Carl  A Pvt. 

♦Potz,  Robert Pvt. 

♦Rice,  Homer Pvt. 

♦Sellers,  Edgar  W Pvt. 

♦Skirka,  .John Pvt. 

♦Smith,  Ronald  E Pvt. 

tUndcrhill,  Edwin  E PFC. 

tViotti,  Michael PFC. 

♦Walker,  Joe  J PFC. 

♦Zengel,  George  W Pvt. 


COMPANY   "B" 


♦Peters,  Edward  ISleClure,  Jr Lst  Lt. 

♦Slayton,  Frank  W 1st  Lt. 

tBushnell,  Theodore  K 2d  Lt. 


♦Dial,  Walter  V 2d  Lt. 

♦Armstrong,  William  G Pvt. 

♦Bain,  James  R Pvt. 


THE   HONOR  ROLL 


299 


2d  machine  gun  battalion   (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "H"    (Contd.) 


Namk  Rank 

fBates,  Gordon Pvt. 

fBernatz,  Anton Pvt. 

*Bovie,  Michael  A Sgt. 

fBrunt,  John  J Pvt. 

♦Carter,  Frederick  C Cpl. 

fDepriest,  Carroll Pvt. 

*Fox,  Murray  S Cpl. 

*Hajek;,  Frank  J Pvt. 

fHarvev,  Otto  B Pvt. 

*Henry,  CyrilJ Pvt. 

♦Henry,  John  W Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

tKinkead,  Clifford  W Cpl. 

fKofron,  Mike PFC. 

*01sen,  Gerhard Pvt. 

tOrt,  John  A Pvt. 

llPratt,  Rufus  A Pvt. 

*Ratcliff,  Edd.  T PFC. 

*Regnery,  J.  James Pvt. 

♦Thompson,  Charles Cpl. 

fSteenson,  William Pvt. 

*Uxa,  James Pvt. 


COMPANY    "C 


tWells,  Edward  L Capt. 

*Stein,  George 1st  Lt. 

*Almos,  Fred  H Pvt. 

*Auten,  Arthur Pvt. 

♦Bailey,  Albert  G Pvt. 

♦Childs,  Arthur Sgt. 

♦Desrochers,  Rudolph Pvt. 

tDo.ss,  James  T Pvt. 

♦Erickson,  Albert  A Pvt. 

♦Foster,  Gordon Pvt. 

♦Foster,  Morton  E Pvt. 

♦Fox,  Earl  H Pvt. 

fGiffitts,  Sherman Bug. 

♦Gower,  Lloyd Pvt . 

♦Grayson,  Harry  T Pvt. 

♦Kushnir,  Ignace Pvt. 

♦Lancaster,  Francis  G Pvt. 

♦Lande,  Armin Pvt. 

♦Laws,  John  O Pvt. 

♦Leahy,  John Pvt. 

♦Ledbetter,  Charles  V Pvt. 

IILorain,  William  E Pvt. 


fLynch,  Sandusky Pvt. 

♦Mackey,  LeRoy  V Pvt. 

fMacready,  James  C PFC. 

♦Mathews,  William  F Cpl. 

♦Miller,  Alvin Pvt. 

♦Miller,  Lonzo  A Pvt. 

♦Morken,  Ole  M Pvt. 

♦Palmer,  Everett Pvt. 

tPatterson,  Harold  B Pvt. 

tPatterson,  Roy  Charles Pvt. 

♦Peak,  Alfonzo Bug. 

fPrauman,  Charles  F Pvt. 

♦Puccinelli,  John Pvt. 

♦Ranten,  Carl  R Pvt. 

♦Reid,  Willard Pvt. 

♦Rottenberg,  Samuel  B PFC. 

♦Schimtschek,  Fred  L Pvt. 

tStedman,  Frank  F Pvt. 

♦Stewart,  Buford Pvt. 

♦Walker,  Clarence Pvt. 

tWoodside,  James  L Sgt. 


COMPANY   "D' 


§Batchelder,  Floyd  Wheaton Pvt. 

fBrew,  Matthew Pvt. 

♦Burkett,  James  A Pvt. 

♦Cosper,  Homer  M PFC. 

♦Cunion,  George  N Pvt. 

tDuBrasky,  Michael Pvt. 

tEdgar,  Jim  F Pvt. 

♦Gagnon,  Alfred Pvt. 

♦Gerrald,  Talmage  W Cpl. 

♦Holstiu,  Erven  R PFC. 

♦Jackson,  Otis  C Pvt. 


♦Kane,  John  J.,  Jr Cpl. 

♦Koenig,  Joseph Pvt. 

♦Koth,  Christ Mech. 

♦Krajewski,  Felix Cpl. 

♦Lanphear,  Jerry  M Pvt. 

♦Mattern,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Mitchell,  Clarence  N Mech. 

♦Moffatt,  Charles Pvt. 

♦Myers,  Claude  H Pvt. 

♦Osgood,  Robert  E Pvt. 

♦Predmore,  \\'esley Pvt. 


300 


HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


2d  machine  gun   BATTALION  (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "D"    (Contd.) 

Name  Rank        Name  Rank 

*Ragsdale,  Paul  E PFC.      *Schaefer,  Oscar  F.  L PFC. 

fRourke,  George  L Pvt.      §Weber,  George Cook 


2Gth    infantry 


FIELD   AND  STAFF 


*Smith,  Hamilton  A Col. 

*Elliott,  Clark  R Lt.  Col. 

*McCloud,  James  M Maj. 

*Harael,  Alfred  A Capt. 

*Holmes,  James  H.,  Jr Capt. 

*Mood,  Julius  A Capt. 

fWortley,  Raymond Capt. 


'Newbold,  Clinton  V.  P 1st  Lt. 

*Boone,  William 2d  Lt. 

*Crane,  Victor  0 2d  Lt. 

*Cummings,  Erio  H 2d  Lt. 

fGustafson,  George  P 2d  Lt. 

fliughes,  James  H 2d  Lt. 

fSmith,  Clovis  J 2d  Lt. 


HEADQUARTERS   COMPANY 


*Allein,  William  Weems Pvt. 

*Boyce,  Joseph  W Pvt. 

*Crow,  Charles  C PFC. 

*Delisle,  William Pvt. 

*Evering,  Walter  C Cpl. 

§Ferranti,  Luigi Mus.  3d  CI. 

§Finnigan,  Richard  S Cpl. 

*Garrett,  Bennie Pvt. 

♦Gesinski,  Charles PFC. 

*Gillen,  Inman PFC. 

*Gowan,  Boyce  L Pvt. 

*Laplont,  Edward Sgt. 

fMcCauley,  Wylie  V Pvt. 

*McKinney,  James  P PFC. 

fMassie,  Hunter Sgt. 

fMassison,  Lauren Pvt. 

*Meinen,  Everett Pvt. 

SUPPLY   COMPANY 

*Lieberman,  Harry  L Pvt.      fStokes,  Norris  F. 

MACHINE   GUN   COMPANY 


*Miles,  Frederick  I.  (R) . .  .   Mus.  1st  CI. 

§Ozemcnt,  William Pvt. 

*Page,  WiUie Pvt. 

*Raymond,  Frank  W Bn.  Sgt.  Maj. 

fRobbins,  William Cpl. 

*Scherer,  WiUiam  A Pvt. 

*Smith,  Carl  J Pvt. 

*Snowden,  Stanley Pvt. 

*Stevenson,  Milton  C Pvt. 

*Stromei,  Giovanni Mus. 

fVaughn,  Albert Pvt. 

tWaters,  Clarence  L Pvt. 

fWeathers,  James  R Pvt. 

♦Walters,  John  R Pvt. 

*Wolfe,  John  W Pvt. 

tWolfe,  Paul  B Pvt. 


.Wag. 


tKern,  Thomas  D 1st  Lt. 

tClark,  Alia  Campbell 2d  Lt. 

*Gholson,  Samuel  C 2d  Lt. 

fReed,  George  A 2d  Lt. 

♦Smith,  J.  Clovis 2d  Lt. 

tConnors,  Joseph  M Sgt. 

*Dietrick,  George  W Pvt. 

*Dougan,  Francis  E PFC. 

*Downs,  Oliver  H Pvt. 

*Erickson,  Virgil  R Cpl. 


♦Farmer,  Joshua  B Cpl. 

*Filice,  Giovanni Pvt. 

§Fisher,  John Cpl. 

tFletcher,  Richard  S Pvt. 

♦Floyd,  Albert  H Pvt. 

♦Folsom,  Carl  E Pvt. 

tFuUer,  A.  A Pvt. 

fGannon,  Oscar Pvt. 

♦Gavin,  John PFC. 

♦Giesken,  Harry  Anthony Pvt. 


THE  HONOR   ROLL 


301 


26th    infantry    (Contd.) 
MACHINE   GUN   COMPANY    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Greer,  Harold  C Pvt. 

*Haas,  Edward  H Pvt. 

*Handy,  Horace PFC. 

*Hildreth,  Dewey  S Pvt. 

*Hopkins,  Frederick  B Cpl. 

*Jones,  David  O Pvt. 

*Jones,  Ernest  W Pvt. 

*Kelley,  Ray  C PFC. 

*Matthews,  Harry  A Cpl. 

fMonwaring,  Ralph  D Pvt. 

*Moriarty,  John  M Pvt. 

fMulford,  Marion  M Cpl. 

*Naill,  JohnC Pvt. 

*01en,  George Pvt. 

tO'NeiU,  Robert  Vernon PFC. 


Name  Rank 

*Orman,  Carl  C Pvt. 

tParsons,  WiUiam  H Cpl. 

*Perkins,  Albert  E Pvt. 

fProut,  William  L Cpl. 

*Sampley,  Ransom  E PFC. 

*Schold,  Carl  A Pvt. 

§Shaver,  Clifford  L Pvt. 

*>Shenk,  Alfred  H Sgt. 

§Stewart,  .James  B PFC. 

*Strickland,  Lewis  T Pvt. 

IITaitt,  Frank Sgt. 

*Tripplett,  Silas .  .Cpl. 

*Waldroop,  Robert  V PFC. 

*White,  John  R PFC. 

fWims,  David  R PFC. 


MEDICAL   DETACHMENT 


*Baker,  William  H Pvt. 

*Ben.son,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Carr,  Harry  P.,  Jr Pvt. 

*Ciranny,  Louis PFC. 

*Denton,  Leslie  C Pvt. 


*Fenton,  Neal  D Cpl. 

*Raymond,  Harry PFC. 

tStange,  John  A PFC. 

*Zear,  Leon  A PFC. 


COMPANY   "A" 


*Foster,  Hamilton  K Capt. 

*Cather,  Grosvenor  P 2d  Lt. 

t Jackson,  George  Dayton 2d  Lt. 

fAbbott,  OttoG CpL 

*Agncw,  .41bert Pvt. 

*Arnistrong,  John Pvt. 

tAr.senault,  Moses Pvt. 

*Arthur,  Allen Cpl. 

*Baggett,  Joseph  B Pvt. 

*Berryman,  Clifford  W Pvt. 

*Betson,  Ira  G Pvt. 

*Bican,  Joe Pvt. 

*Bloetscher,  Fred  A Pvt. 

*Bouret,  Joseph  W Pvt. 

*Boyd,  John  R Pvt. 

*Brown,  O.scar  E Cpl. 

*Brown,  William Pvt. 

*Buchalski,  Stanley PFC. 

*Caputs,  Anthony Pvt. 

*Carroll,  Maurice Sgt. 

*Carveth,  George  E Pvt. 

tCavanagh,  Harold  ^^" Pvt. 

*Chesney,  Anthony Cpl. 

*Clementson,  Arthur Pvt. 


*Coiler,  Frank  B Pvt. 

*Coulbourn,  Lloyd  R Pvt. 

fDavias,  Socrates PFC. 

*Delaney,  WiUiam  H Cpl. 

fDel  Giudice,  Giovanni Pvt. 

*Diermeyer,  John  R Pvt. 

*Dixon,  Walter  J Cpl. 

*Dodge,  Edward  H Pvt. 

*Dosch,  George  C Pvt. 

*Dudginsky,  John Pvt. 

fDugan,  Frank Pvt. 

*Emerick,  Lester Pvt. 

*Erickson,  Martin Pvt. 

*Finnerin,  Lloyd  W PFC. 

♦Fisher,  Fred  F Pvt. 

♦Franks,  John Cpl. 

tFreeman,  Louis Pvt. 

*Fugo,  Ernest Pvt. 

*Gagnon,  Armand  A Cpl. 

tGannon,  John Pvt. 

*Gitmore,  Frank .  .  Pvt. 

*Gorruso,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Hamilton,  Carl Pvt, 

*Holtzeatle,  Frank Pvt. 


;i()2 


HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 


26th   infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "A"   (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

♦Hudson,  Horace  J.. Pvt. 

Illnfango,  Herman  H Pvt. 

Mohnson,  George Pvt. 

*Kellogg,  Thomas  M Pvt. 

*Kelly,  John Cpl. 

♦Lackey,  Bert  B Pvt. 

fLawrence,  Courtney Pvt. 

♦Leach,  WiUiam  G.." Pvt. 

♦Lewis,  Albert  B PFC. 

♦Lindgren,  Gordon PFC. 

♦Lockey,  Bert  B Pvt. 

♦Lorenz,  Peter  J Pvt. 

§Malone,  Peter  J Pvt. 

*Mareus,  Harry Pvt. 

♦Meadors,  Lon PFC. 

♦Meheles,  James Pvt . 

♦Meyer,  Fred  H Pvt. 

♦Meyers,  Harry Pvt. 

||Micalizzi,  Carmelo Pvt. 

♦Milham,  Donald  P Pvt. 

*Miller,  Harry Pvt. 

♦Miller,  Russell  W PFC. 

*Mincey,  Fayette PFC. 

♦Moore,  Leslie Cpl. 

♦Monty,  Arthur  P Sgt. 

fMontgomery,  Sidney Cpl. 

♦Morker,  Edwin Pvt. 

fMorton,  Charles  I Pvt. 

§Murphy,  John  H Sgt. 

fNeilson,  Peter Pvt. 

♦O'Brien,  Michael Pvt. 

♦Olsen,  Andrew Pvt. 


NAME'.  Rank 

♦Olstein,  Edward PFC. 

♦Osborne,  William Pvt. 

fOtto,  Edward , Cpl. 

♦Pawlicki,  Frank  P Cpl. 

*Pederson,  \\'alter  John Pvt. 

fPenrod,  Byrd  Weaver Sgt. 

♦Pettengill,  Leo  H Pvt. 

tProisl,  Frank  J Pvt. 

♦Purcell,  George Pvt. 

§Radanovich,  Steve Pvt. 

§Ragan,  William  B Pvt. 

♦Rathbun,  Lee  William Cpl. 

♦Ravin,  Samuel Pvt. 

♦Richardson,  James  'W Pvt . 

♦Rintala,  Sam  E Pvt. 

♦Rockwell,  Clarence Pvt . 

fSalts,  Shirley  J Pvt. 

§Savisky,  Gratsiam Mech. 

♦Shaheen,  Nasab PFC. 

♦Siragu.sa,  Joseph Pvt. 

♦Skud,  Einar Pvt. 

♦Smith,  James Cpl. 

♦Stallings,  Al  H Sgt. 

♦Spencer,  Leroy  Albert Pvt. 

♦Sullivan,  Dennis  A Sgt. 

♦Summers,  Walter Pvt. 

♦Taylor,  Harvey Pvt. 

*Thorn,  Raymond  B Pvt. 

♦Tumberello,  Giacoma Pvt. 

tVitello,  Fortunato Pvt. 

♦White,  John  D Pvt. 

♦Winchenback,  Roland Pvt. 


COMPANY   "B" 


♦Freml,  Wesley,  Jr 1st  Lt. 

♦Archuleta,  Jose  F Pvt. 

♦.\rnemann,  Rudoli)h Pvt. 

♦.Arthur,  McKinley Pvt. 

fBagwill,  Robert  L Pvt. 

♦Barton,  Roy  W Sgt. 

♦Baylor,  Fred  C Pvt. 

tBeran,  John Pvt. 

♦Bergin,  Francis  M Pvt. 

♦Blaney,  Robert Pvt. 

♦Bodah,  William Pvt. 

♦Botkin,  Chauncey  C Pvt. 

♦Bouts,  Walter  E PFC. 

tBowcr,  Austin Pvt. 


♦Brenton,  Frank  H Cpl. 

♦Brown,  .Vndrew  Sorley Pvt. 

♦Budzynski,  William Pvt. 

♦Burr,  Dewey  G PFC. 

♦Buuck,  Henry  C Pvt. 

♦Carlson,  George  M Pvt. 

♦Carmelo,  Chiesa PFC. 

♦Carter,  William  B Pvt. 

♦Clapp,  David  O Pvt. 

♦Coffee,  Holly Pvt. 

fCornelius,  .\rchibald  J Cpl. 

♦Cramer,  Ralph  T Pvt. 

tCuchick,  Charles Pvt. 

♦Daviz,  Jacob  A Pvt . 


THE  HONOR   ROLL 


303 


26th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "B"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

§DougIas,  Dewey  H Pvt. 

tFennessy,  John  V Cpl. 

tFrench,  Ross  E Pvt. 

*Frizzell,  James  B Pvt. 

fGeorgen,  George  A Pvt. 

tGill,  Michael Pvt. 

*Ginsiclio,  Tunbreno Pvt. 

fCoetz,  Edward  P Pvt. 

fGrenfield,  Samuel Pvt. 

*Griffin,  Harrison Pvt. 

*Grzybowski,  Franciszek Pvt. 

*Healy,  Denis Pvt. 

fHeffner,  Wesley PFC. 

fHendrickson,  John Pvt. 

i'Henson,  Willey  J Pvt. 

*Hilton,  Ray  C Pvt. 

fHood,  Scott  L Pvt. 

fHollis,  Thomas  B PFC. 

tHoward,  Henry Pvt. 

*Hrenko,  Mike Cpl. 

§Hunt,  John  E Pvt. 

fJablanowski,  Wladyslaw Pvt. 

*Kleile,  Glenn  F Pvt. 

fKlueh,  Harold  J Cpl. 

*Knoi)h,  Grville Pvt. 

tKroutch,  Frank  J Pvt. 

*Lankford,  John Pvt. 

*Lowrye,  Garfield Pvt. 


Name                                                                  Rank 
♦McDonald,  Lloyd Pvt. 

*Marsh,  William Pvt. 

*Matejaek,  Edmund Pvt. 

tMichalck,  Vincenty PFC. 

JMulHs,  Myrel Pvt. 

fNorraan,  Ernest  Vannaman Cpl. 

*Pieper,  Frederick  E Pvt. 

*Pirtle,  Bert  D Pvt. 

*Rich,  William  H Pvt. 

§Roberts,  W  illiam  T Pvt. 

*Rogers,  Leo  H Cpl. 

*Rooney,  Francis  P Pvt. 

*Rosplock,  John Pvt. 

tRourke,  William Sgt. 

*Rzcznik,  Frank Pvt. 

*Samsa,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Schick,  Charles  H Cpl. 

♦Schwartz,  David Cpl. 

*.Sheppard,  Edward  D Cpl. 

♦Spike,  William  A Pvt. 

♦Stevens,  Edward Sgt. 

♦Stoddard,  Clinton Pvt. 

fSullivan,  Leo Pvt. 

♦Upson,  Raymond  Davis Pvt. 

♦Wagner,  John  F Pvt. 

♦Williams,  Marion Pvt. 

♦Woods,  Robert  O Pvt. 


COMPANY 


♦Newbold,  Clinton  Van  Pelt 1st  Lt. 

♦Cummings,  Eric  H 2d  Lt. 

♦Dillon,  Harry 2d  Lt. 

fAdkins,  Tolbert Pvt. 

♦Alderm.an,  Dell PFC. 

♦AUred,  Daniel Pvt. 

♦.\nderson,  Christian  S Cpl. 

♦Arnett,  Wylie PFC. 

♦Aune,  Fred  E Pvt. 

§Bentley,  Lyman PFC. 

§Blakley,  Orval  V Pvt. 

♦Braun,  George  W Cpl. 

fBrock,  Frank PBT\ 

♦Brooks,  Fred  L Cpl. 

fCawley ,  Raymond  E Pvt. 

fChambers,  William  E Pvt. 

♦Crandall,  Louis Pvt. 

♦Dahlberg,  Gust Pvt. 


♦Davidson,  Earl Pvt. 

♦Dixon,  WilUam Pvt. 

♦Donahue,  Harry  J Sgt. 

♦Donnelly,  Thomas  J Pvt. 

♦Elliott,  Judge  Daniel Pvt. 

tEllis,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Evening,  Walter PFC. 

§Ganger,  Olen  L Pvt. 

fGoldberg,  Myer Pvt. 

fGoldsmith,  George  Vernon Pvt. 

♦Gonzalez,  Marcello Pvt. 

♦Harris,  George  O Pvt. 

♦Hastings,  Clyde Pvt. 

♦Hawkins,  Clarence  C Pvt. 

tHorr,  Burton  G Pvt. 

♦Houston,  William Cpl. 

♦Howard,  John  W Pvt. 

♦Jacobs,  Harry  I Pvt. 


304 


HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 


26th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "(•"    (Contd.) 


Name  Hank 

*.Ienkins,  Homer Pvt. 

'Jensen,  Ejner Sgt. 

tKines,  Bert  C PFC. 

fLeander,  Axel Cpl. 

IILitch,  William  A Pvt. 

♦McMillion,  Edgar  E Pvt. 

*Mc\Villiams,  John Pvt. 

*Muchinsky,  Albert PFC. 

*Nauss,  Jacob  A Cpl. 

♦Nicholson,  John  W Pvt. 

tOsborn,  William  H Pvt. 

tPaddock,  Steve  J Pvt. 

*Pcrrin,  Winfred  L Pvt. 

§Pound,  Truman PFC. 

*Renn,  Frederick Pvt. 

♦Rogers,  Albert  C Pvt. 

*Santino,  Antino Pvt. 

llSaran,  Teofil Pvt. 

§Schenkman,  George Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Schlcgol,  Rudolph Pvt. 

fSeirs,  James Pvt. 

*Settle,  Delmer  A Pvt. 

*Siri,  James Pvt. 

fThomas,  Jashua  W Pvt. 

*Toth,  JohnC Cpl. 

fTrowbridge,  Glenn  E Pvt. 

♦Turner,  Oscar  William Pvt. 

*Vucelich,  Jovo Pvt. 

*Wade,  James Pvt. 

*\Vilfong,  Marvin  H Pvt. 

fWilliams,  Albert  Wilson Cpl. 

fWilUamson,  William  C Cpl. 

♦Winimko,  Bolic.slaw Pvt. 

§Winn,  Richard  F Cpl. 

*Wolkow.ski,  Joseph Pvt. 

♦WjiJyck,  Powell Pvt. 

*Zakubou.ski,  John Pvt. 


COMPANY    "D' 


♦Amory,  Thomas  D 1st  Lt. 

fAvilla,  Edwin Cpl. 

♦Bernard,  WilUam  P Pvt. 

♦Berndt,  Frank  Carl Pvt. 

♦Bird,  Charles  H Pvt. 

♦Bonkowski,  Eugene Pvt. 

fBradley,  Clifford Sgt. 

♦Brisbin,  Emery  W Pvt. 

fBrown,  James  M Pvt. 

♦Brown,  James  W Cpl. 

♦Buchaltcr,  Samuel Pvt. 

♦Bullers,  Frederick  W Pvt. 

fCarlson,  Joseph  H PFC. 

♦Chambers,  Henry  V Pvt. 

fChameroy,  William  F Pvt. 

tChristanson,  Mike Pvt. 

llCicateUi,  Nunzil Pvt. 

♦Clayton,  John  M Cpl. 

tCooper,  Dolphus  C Pvt. 

♦Den.sley,  Charles Pvt. 

♦Dingier,  William  Luther Pvt. 

tDixon,  Jesse  L PFC. 

♦Doan,  Eben Pvt. 

♦Drabkin,  Joseph Cpl. 

IIDrago,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Draper,  Jabez  M Pvt. 


♦Ellingston,  Kunt PFC. 

§Ellis,  Martin  A Pvt. 

♦Evans,  Ira Pvt. 

fFrcitas,  Manuel PFC. 

tGallagher,  Phillip Pvt. 

♦Garufi,  Giovani Pvt. 

fGates,  Thurman Pvt. 

fGensler,  Arthur Pvt. 

fGerson,  Raoul Pvt. 

♦Gib.son,  Gail Pvt. 

♦Gomillion,  James  T Sgt. 

♦Graham,  Kenneth Pvt. 

♦Granoiikos,  Antonio Pvt. 

tHack,  WiUiam Pvt. 

♦Hansen,  Louis  A Pvt. 

fHarvey,  Richard Pvt. 

♦Heller^  Cyril  L Pvt. 

♦Hen.sel,  Earl  H Pvt. 

♦Hoar,  Emory  Francis Pvt. 

fHower,  Richard Pvt. 

♦Jennings,  Leonard  H Pvt . 

♦John.son,  Cecil Pvt. 

♦Keesling,  John  H PFC. 

♦Korte,  Bernard  F Pvt. 

♦Kraakmo,  Theodore Pvt. 

fKrepper,  John Pvt. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


305 


26th   infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "D"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Lamonica,  Callogera Pvt. 

fLanior,  Charles  E Pvt. 

IIMcBroom,  Lyman Pvt. 

*McCarthy,  Thomas  Frederick Pvt. 

§Mann,  Francis  A Pvt. 

*Margeas,  Bill Cpl. 

*Merchant,  Arthur  M Pvt. 

*Minnic,  August Pvt. 

fMorris,  Tony Pvt. 

fNesterowicz,  Edward Sgt. 

*Nicolosi,  Alfio Pvt. 

*Niczyporek,  Joseph Pvt. 

*01son,  Christian Pvt. 

fPaxton,  Oscar  F Pvt. 

fPerkins,  Woodruff PFC 

*Peter,  Sidney  H Pvt. 

tPeterson,  John  A PFC. 

*Powell,  Thomas  M Sgt. 

*Priester,  Francis  J Pvt. 

*Raaen,  John  V PFC. 

*Reiniche,  Joe  R Pvt. 

*Riddle,  James  L Cpl. 

*Ridges,  Elmo Pvt. 

*Robinson,  Thomas  L Pvt. 

fRocha,  Eriberto  Cleofes Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Rooney,  Thomas  A Pvt. 

*Roysland,  Torgii  H Pvt. 

*Saboe,  Thomas  A Pvt. 

*Sabol,  John Pvt. 

*.Sandman,  Carl Cpl. 

*Schildkenecht,  Henry  G Pvt. 

*Sczenski,  Walter Cpl. 

fSevieri,  Enrico Pvt. 

*Shepherd,  Edward  O Cpl. 

*Sheveland,  Barney Pvt. 

*Slack,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Stei)hens,  Fred  L Pvt. 

tStewart,  Henry  Clifton Pvt. 

*Sweet,  Ora  A Cpl. 

*Tack,  Gustave Pvt. 

tTalley,  Melville  O Pvt. 

*Taylor,  William Sgt. 

fThompson,  Clarence Pvt. 

*Underwood,  Henry  A.,  Jr Pvt. 

*Vanker,  Emil  H Pvt. 

*VIagules,  Christ Pvt. 

nVall,  Preston  V Pvt. 

*Ward,  Wilbur Pvt. 

*Womack,  ToUie  R Pvt. 

*Zak,  Harry Cpl. 


COMPANY   "E' 


*Hasey,  William  Harrison 1st  Lt. 

fAnderson,  Clarence  E Pvt. 

*Bantowsld,  Roth Pvt. 

*Beissvvanger,  John  C PFC. 

*Bengston,  Yngve  A Pvt. 

fBennett,  William Pvt. 

*Bialko,  Joe PFC. 

*Bjerken,  Helmer  L Pvt. 

*Bonnett,  John  Alexander Cpl. 

*Boyd,  Sandie ,  .  .Pvt. 

*BrambIett,  John  E Pvt. 

*Buck,  Carl  E Pvt. 

llChuncUo,  Guseppe Pvt. 

fClark,  Emory  S Pvt. 

*Coffman,  Omer  J PFC. 

*Colella,  Ralph PFC. 

fConboy,  Peter Pvt. 

*Conway,  Martin Cpl. 

§Curtiss,  William Pvt. 

*Cuthbertson,  E.  Raymond Pvt. 

*Dallison,  James  A Pvt. 


IIDeeraer,  Herman Pvt. 

*Dipaola,  Cologero Pvt. 

*Dorsey,  Harry  H Pvt. 

*Duda,  Mike Pvt. 

*Erickson,  Gastav  A Cpl. 

IIEunice,  Joseph  C PFC. 

fFeeback,  Gilbert Pvt. 

IIFinnigan,  Eugene Pvt. 

tFoth,  Herman Pvt. 

*Funderburk,  Willford Pvt. 

*Garrow,  WiUiam Pvt. 

*Gullickson,  Harvey  A Pvt. 

*Gustafson,  Leono  E Cook 

fHamilton,  Dallas  D Cpl. 

*Hanley,  Michael Sgt. 

*Harris,  John  James Pvt. 

*Hatfield,  John  D Cpl. 

*HefTron,  Daniel  J Pvt. 

*Hennon,  Clyde  E Pvt. 

§Herrick,  Paul  H Pvt. 

tHirzel,  William Pvt. 


.■{Ofi 


HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 


26Trt   INFANTRY    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "E"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Hughe.s,  Joseph  L Pvt . 

fHuntley,  Harold  J Pvt. 

*Johnson,  Albert  W Pvt. 

*Jones,  Ernest  C Pvt. 

*Kamp,  Andrew  W Pvt. 

fKendziorski,  Victor Pvt. 

♦Kent,  AUard Pvt. 

*Klingbeil,  Palmer  C Pvt. 

§Koch,  Herbert  E Pvt. 

*Komsteller,  Louis  H Pvt. 

*Konieczka,  Dominick Pvt. 

IJKusneruk,  Xaver Pvt. 

*Kyrus,  Mathew  F Cpl. 

*Lonika,  John Pvt. 

*Matali,  Pietro Pvt. 

*Mealy,  Thomas  James Pvt. 

IIMikalajcsyk,  Wladyslaw Pvt. 

*Mizwicki,  John Pvt. 

*Moccio,  Achille Pvt. 

*Mundy,  Harvey  Jasper Pvt. 

*Nelson,  William Pvt. 

liNix,  Fred Pvt. 

*01ohik,  Alexandrine Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Oney,  John  W Pvt. 

*0'sos,  Clement Pvt. 

*Pavluk,  Large  C Pvt. 

*Robbins,  Willie  R Cpl. 

*Roe,  Norman  L Pvt. 

tRoss,  Paul Pvt. 

*Sasamowicz,  Harry Pvt. 

*Shapiro,  Leo Pvt. 

fSills,  Charles  W Pvt. 

*.Skinner,  Charles  M Pvt. 

llSkok,  Michael Pvt. 

*Smith,  Lyle  Charles Pvt. 

llSondrel,  John  K Pvt. 

*Starkey,  Charles  L Pvt. 

ySwangue,  James  E Mech. 

*Thibodeaux,  Ignace  William Pvt. 

fThomas,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Voronowicz,  Alex Pvt. 

♦Winders,  William  M Pvt. 

*\\'ortley,  Ernest  D Pvt. 

tYarmolinski,  Wladislaw  B Pvt. 

*Vianeles,  John Pvt. 


COMPANY   "F' 


♦Richards,  James  N.  C Capt. 

fAden,  Harvey  B 2d  Lt. 

♦AUbery,  Harry  C PFC. 

fBaranski,  John Pvt. 

fBaranski,  William Cpl. 

§Barr,  Roscoe  M Pvt. 

fBarton,  Alva  R Pvt. 

*Bell,  Patrick Sgt. 

*Bialoglowicz,  Totil PFC. 

♦Bikiary,  Arthur  V PFC. 

tBoyd,  Lake  C Pvt. 

fBradford,  Ray  S Cpl. 

fBradtke,  Henry  C Pvt. 

fBriggs,  Ralph  S Pvt. 

♦Bruncr,  Earl  L Pvt. 

♦Buckles,  Robert Cpl. 

fBundy,  Elmer  J Pvt. 

♦Caine,  Claude Pvt. 

♦Gala,  Peter Pvt. 

♦Cartright,  Eugene  WilUam Pvt. 

fCaspary,  Stephen  H Pvt. 

♦Cherney ,  Nick Pvt. 

♦Crusan,  Fred Pvt. 


§Daly ,  Harry Pvt. 

•Daniel,  Nicholas Cpl. 

fDeighan,  Harold Sgt. 

♦DeLozier,  WilUam  A Pvt. 

♦Doane,  Frank  F Pvt. 

II  Donna,  Alexander Pvt. 

fDrucker,  Lsadore Sgt. 

JIEmhke,  Charles Pvt. 

♦Fitzgerald,  Edmund Cpl. 

fFlemming,  James Pvt 

fOalante,  Jo.seph Pvt. 

♦Golub,  Jacob Pvt. 

♦Goodwin,  John  F Pvt. 

♦Green,  Irving Cpl. 

♦Green,  James  A Cpl. 

fGrcgg,  Frank  A Pvt. 

♦Gross,  Jo.scph PFC. 

♦Gunter,  Percy  N Sgt. 

fHallock,  Francis  A Pvt. 

♦Harlan,  Ruby  E Pvt. 

§Held,  Walter  G Pvt. 

♦Howard,  Grady  L Pvt. 

♦Hulsey,  Admiral  D Pvt. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


307 


26th    infantry    (Contd.) 


COMPANY 

Name  Rank 

*Jackman,  Clarence  T Cpl. 

*Janiszew.ski,  Anton PFC. 

♦Johnson,  Orland  E PFC. 

*Johnson,  Porter  W Pvt. 

§Kane,  Daniel Pvt. 

fKarger,  Abe Pvt. 

fKerze,  John Pvt. 

nCindell,  Oscar  P Pvt. 

tKing,  Marshall  W PFC. 

§Kleeber,  Louis  B Pvt. 

*Koellish,  Edward  J Pvt. 

*Langlotz,  John  C Pvt. 

fLawrence,  Paul  N PFC. 

fLax,  Rudolph  A Pvt. 

tLeClaire,  Henry  J Pvt. 

♦Lowers,  Ora  V PFC. 

*Lowery,  Hommer  Millard Pvt. 

*Loy,  JakeP Pvt. 

*  McGeough,  Clement  A Pvt. 

*Marcellous,  Jess  J Pvt. 

*Masley,  Michael  G Pvt. 

§Merriil,  Orval  H Pvt. 

*Mikolajcsak,  Frank  J Pvt. 

fMiller,  John  F Pvt. 

*Nicodermus,  John  A Pvt. 

*Norris,  James  B Pvt. 

*Oestreich,  Ezra Pvt. 

*01son,  Egil  A Pvt. 


■F"    (Contd.) 

Name  Rank 

*Oneil,  James Pvt. 

llPeters,  Lee PFC. 

fPhillips,  Haskell Pvt. 

*Pilbeam,  Clarence  Henry Cpl. 

tPrice,  Jack PFC. 

*Pump,  William  H Pvt. 

tRadloff,  Arthur  H Pvt. 

*Raza,  Hypohte  J Pvt. 

*Rowe,  WilUam  L Pvt. 

fSaindon,  Arthur Pvt. 

*Salvatore,  Erario Pvt. 

*,Schaffer,  Charles  H Cpl. 

♦Schmidt,  Herman  J Cpl. 

*SKwinski,  Joseph Cpl. 

tSmith,  Isham  A Pvt. 

♦Staples,  Willie  J Pvt. 

§Stephens,  Sidney  B Pvt. 

♦Storer,  Ralph  W Pvt. 

♦Sullivan,  Edward Pvt. 

♦Taylor,  James Sgt. 

♦Teitelman,  Nathan Cpl. 

fTimm,  John  A Pvt. 

♦Voltz,  Clarence  V Pvt. 

♦Waldvogle,  Earl  E Pvt. 

§White,  William  W Pvt. 

♦Wooten,  John Mech. 

♦Wootan,  George  T Pvt. 


COMPANY   "G' 


♦Lodor,  .Lames  C 2d  Lt. 

tShuU,  Laurens  C 2d  Lt. 

fTreadway,  Wolcott  W 2d  Lt. 

§Adams,  John  E Pvt. 

♦Arnold,  Herbert Cpl. 

♦Baranack,  George Pvt. 

♦Barr,  Hugh PFC. 

♦Bartusavitch,  John PFC. 

IIBeal,  George PFC. 

♦Berghuis,  William Cpl. 

§Brandow,  Burton Pvt. 

♦Burkes,  .John PFC. 

§Crowley,  James  M Pvt. 

♦Cutiss,  Dominick Pvt. 

fDaligianis,  Nick  E Pvt. 

♦Deming,  George  E Pvt. 


♦Douglas,  Arthur  B Pvt. 

♦Duncikas,  Joseph PFC. 

♦Epps,  James  A Pvt. 

fFiedler,  Max RFC. 

♦Gaines,  Warren  J Pvt. 

fGarber,  Arthur Pvt. 

♦Gardner,  John  L Pvt. 

fGiberson,  Cecil Pvt. 

fGlennon,  Frank Pvt. 

||Hamrak,  Andrew Pvt. 

♦Harold,  Cornelious Pvt. 

^Harrington,  Timothy Pvt. 

tHarry,  Floyd  E Pvt. 

♦Hitchcock,  John  H Cpl. 

♦Hoffman,  Ira  F Pvt. 

♦Honeycutt,  Wesley  L Pvt. 


308 


HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 


26th    INFANTRY    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "G"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*.Iohnson,  James  E PFC. 

Mohnson,  Roy PFC. 

*Karki)tsc'l;is,  Diinitres Pvt. 

flvTOdall,  Walter  R Pvt. 

*Kibat,  Tony Pvt. 

*Kocrner,  Herman Sgt. 

*Kohl,  Bonnie  M Pvt. 

*Laughlin,  Nicholas  B Pvt. 

*LeVasseur,  Romeo Pvt. 

*Liikowski,  Joseph  A Pvt. 

fLunisden,  Clarence Pvt. 

*McBridc,  Thomas  F PFC. 

*McMahon,  William  M Pvt. 

fMcNcary,  Harold Pvt. 

§Maatman,  Edward  D Pvt. 

*Marmes,  Paul Pvt. 

fMinkcr,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Neal,  Manard  C Pvt. 

*Neff,  George  J Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Osior,  John Pvt. 

*Rankin,  Jo.seph  Donald PFC. 

tRawloifih,  Martin. . , PFC. 

*Richard,  Artie  M Pvt 

*Rippcrdan,  Sherman Sgt. 

*Scott,  Graham  E Pvt. 

*.Skitarlich,  George Pvt . 

*Smith,  Leo  M Cpl. 

fSmolinski,  Ignatious Pvt. 

*Tabaczynski,  Ra\Tnond PFC. 

*Umbrino,  James Pvt. 

§VanBussum,  Orvil'e Pvt. 

*Veilleux,  Cyrille Pvt. 

tVidrine,  George Cpl. 

tWillman,  Michael  T Pvt. 

tWi.se,  EhnoC Cpl. 

*Wisniew.ski,  John Sgt. 

fYates,  James  L Sgt. 


COMPANY    "H" 


*Sands,  Walter  A 1st  Lt. 

*Ellison,  Eugene  M 2d  Lt. 

*Mo.sher,  Leon  W 2d  Lt. 

*Amos,  Charles  E Bug. 

*Beiscaker,  Reuben  W PFC. 

*Berghoefer,  Arthur  A Pvt. 

fBohn,  Henry Cpl. 

*Boyd,  Edgar  M PFC. 

*Brabo,  Henry  F Cpl. 

♦Cohen,  Albert,  Jr Pvt. 

*Con\vay,  John  E Pvt. 

*Ebcrhard,  Stanislaw Pvt. 

*Egan,  Charles Cpl. 

tEno,  NoahL PFC. 

*Evan.son,  Hans Pvt. 

*Frye,  Louis  L Cpl. 

*Galiori,  Tony Pvt. 

tGoff,  OtisL Sgt. 

*Granlund,  John  A Pvt. 

*Granlund,  Oscar  E Cpl. 

fHafner,  John  M Cpl. 

*Hagen,  Oscar Pvt. 

fllardin,  Amos PFC. 

IIHarmeyer,  Fred  W.  A Cpl. 

*Harrod,  Scott Pvt. 

*Hawkins,  Claude Pvt. 

*Hensley,  .John  D.,  Jr Pvt. 

tHoward,  Walter  E Pvt. 


tKenille,  Forest PFC. 

*Kindervater,  Louis  B Sgt. 

fKnudson,  Ambrose  S Pvt. 

*Kopke,  Edwin  F Pvt. 

*Koszto\vski,  Peter Mech. 

*LeSage,  Chff  F Pvt. 

*Lockman,  Alfred  J Pvt. 

IIMcDonald,  Frances Pvt. 

fMcKee,  Thomas Pvt. 

*McNeiI,  Donald Pvt. 

*Mabarak,  Elias Pvt. 

*Mahan,  Grover  Cleveland Pvt. 

*Mar.sh,  Claude  A Pvt. 

*Meathery,  Roy  C Sgt. 

*Menichoes,  George  K Pvt. 

§Mew,  Joseph  W Pvt. 

*Middleton,  John  F PFC. 

*Miller,  Lawrence  J Pvt. 

*Mintz,  Edward Pvt. 

*Molander,  Axel  R Sgt. 

*NatiIi,  Pietro Pvt. 

♦Nelson,  Albert  F Pvt. 

fNelson,  Magnus Pvt. 

*Oberski,  Tony  J Pvt. 

*0'Keefe,  Thomas  J Cpl. 

tOsborn,  Charles  J Pvt. 

*Pannebaker,  Clayton  D PFC. 

njuilty,  Edward  W Cpl. 


THE   HONOR   ROLL 


309 


26th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "H"    (Contd.) 


Name 


Rank 


*Rethwisch,  Herman  K Pvt. 

*Ross,  Harry  E PFC. 

IIRusseU,  Leon  H Pvt. 

*Sautter,  Eugene Mech. 

*Scott,  Calvin  W PFC. 

*Sebo,  James Sgt. 

llShannon,  Harry  F Pvt. 

tShepard,  William  D Pvt. 

*Silva,  Frank Cpl. 

*Silvey,  Ii-win  E Cpl. 

*Simmons,  George  M PFC. 

*Smith,  Fred  W Pvt. 


Name  Hank 

*Snook,  George  W.,  Jr Pvt. 

llSobie,  John  M Pvt. 

*Spiertng,  Lynn ...  C])I. 

*Staska,  Rudolph PFC. 

*Stouder,  Harvey  R Pvt. 

*Strauser,  Ernest  Franklin Pvt. 

§Tillman,  Andrew  Haye.s Pvt. 

*Toomey,  Edson  Lafayette PFC. 

tWalsh,  James  L Pvt. 

*Watson,  William  H Pvt. 

*  Wiseman,  Charles  W Pvt. 

*Zirbes,  Anthony  W Pvt. 


COMPANY   "I' 


*Blum,  Herbert  C 2d  Lt. 

*Adams,  WilUam  H Pvt. 

*Aufdermauer,  Meinrad Pvt. 

*Aurand,  Earl  E Pvt. 

*Baldysky,  Roman Pvt. 

*Beverly,  Ivy  W Pvt. 

♦Boettcher,  Hugo  W Pvt. 

fBrattstrom,  Allan  G PFC. 

*Brinkman,  Charles PFC. 

§Burnett,  William  B Cpl. 

tBurwell,  James  A PFC. 

♦Conner,  Andrew  B PFC. 

♦Czajka,  John  F Sgt. 

*Davis,  Stanley  L Pvt. 

*Donnelly,  William  Y Pvt. 

§Dunnivant,  Robert  L Pvt. 

*Duval,  Joseph Pvt. 

fDzierkocz,  Anthony Pvt. 

fEnright,  Thomas  J Pvt. 

*Evans,  Pryce  N Sgt. 

fFerris,  Stephen  W Pvt. 

fFerry,  Michael  J Pvt. 

IIFoley,  Jcseph Pvt. 

fFosnes,  Bernt Pvt. 

tGiU,  Harland PFC. 

*GUs.son,  Tullis Pvt. 

♦Griffin,  Perry  F Pvt. 

*Grin.stein,  Max Pvt. 

*Hilderbrand,  Clement  W Pvt. 

♦Hitchcock,  James  W Pvt. 

fHreczuch,  John Pvt. 

♦Hunter,  Columbus  E Pvt. 

♦Janovicz,  Stanley Pvt. 

*Johnson,  Victor  H Bug. 


♦Kelley,  Paul  B Pvt. 

♦Kline,  Azle  B Mech. 

§Kolar,  James Pvt. 

♦Lamb,  Charles  C Pvt. 

fLeithiser,  George  H Pvt. 

♦Little,  Charles  V Pvt. 

♦Luedtke,  Albert  R Pvt. 

*McAlhster,  Charles PFC. 

♦McConnel,  William  O PFC. 

IIMcDaniels,  Henry PFC. 

♦McLaughlin,  Cornelius  J Pvt. 

♦Major,  James  H Pvt. 

♦Matthew,  Edward Pvt. 

♦Milbauer,  Saul Pvt. 

♦Miles,  George  H Cpl. 

tMiller,  Charles  T Pvt. 

♦MiUigan,  John  E Pvt. 

♦Mitchell,  Edward Cpl. 

♦Morter,  Harry  E Pvt. 

fMulUns,  Denver Sgt. 

IIMuto,  Francisco Pvt. 

♦O'Leary,  Charles Pvt. 

♦Palmer,  Leonard  ^\'ashington PFC. 

♦Parsons,  Jesse Pvt. 

*Pesicka,  Charles  G Pvt. 

♦Reed,  Robert  L Pvt. 

♦Richards,  Robert  P Pvt. 

♦Robich,  Paul  C Pvt. 

tRollis,  Stanley Pvt. 

tRoob,  Raymond Sgt. 

♦Rouse,  Fay  E Pvt. 

§Roxland,  Charles Pvt. 

♦Rutter,  George  J Pvt. 

♦Sammons,  Paul Pvt. 


;!i() 


HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


26Tn    INFANTRY    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "I"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Sanclers,  John  E Pvt . 

fSaxton,  Pink  F Pvt. 

*Schooley,  James  H Pvt. 

fShallenbcrger,  Braden  W Pvt. 

*Stone,  Benjamin  L Cpl. 

*Svrgn,  Andrew Pvt. 

*Topa,  Toefel Pvt. 

*Triplett,  James  M Pvt. 

*Vail,  George  W Cpl. 


Name  Rank 

tWalker,  Melvin  J Pvt. 

§\Vendt,  William  E Pvt. 

♦Wharton,  William  H. PFC. 

tWilkin.son,  James  R Pvt. 

§Wilson,  David  W Pvt. 

*Womble,  John  J Pvt. 

*Wood,  Walter Pvt. 

*Yaden,  William  D Bug. 

fYonker,  Henry  H Pvt. 


COMPANY    "K' 


tBrown,  Bayard 2d  Lt. 

§Barker,  Luther Pvt. 

♦Berkley,  Homer  L Cpl. 

*Biavaschi,  Martin Pvt. 

♦Bradbrook,  Williani PFC. 

tBrandt,  Delbert  C Pvt. 

*Caw,  Clarence Pvt. 

llCopeck,  Joseph PFC. 

♦Griddle,  Ehner  J Pvt. 

♦Dawson,  Murray Mech. 

♦Dill,  George  E Pvt. 

♦Erickmoen,  Thomas Pvt. 

♦Foth,  William Pvt. 

fFrench,  Clinton Pvt. 

fFusco,  Vincenzo Pvt. 

♦Gosecky,  BoMk Cpl. 

♦Grant,  Arthur Pvt. 

♦Hart,  Frank  D Pvt. 

IIHart,  Thomas  A Pvt. 

fHays,  Andrew Pvt. 

fHolbrook,  Robert  L Cpl. 

tHorafakis,  Anast Pvt . 

♦Hyatt,  James  A Pvt. 

fJackawicz,  John Pvt. 

tKay,  Evans Sgt. 

♦Kellisch,  William Pvt. 

fKclly,  Remmis Pvt. 

♦Krout,  William  A Pvt. 

♦Kruse,  Theodore  Henry Pvt. 

♦Kurland,  Benjamin Cpl. 

♦Landis,  Mike  H Pvt. 


^Lawrence,  Robert  L Pvt. 

♦Libstein,  Alfred Pvt. 

♦Lightner,  George  M Cpl. 

♦Litzinger,  Normand Cpl. 

♦McCoy,  Delbert Sgt. 

♦McGraw,  Mathew  C PFC. 

♦Marten,  Fritz  W PFC. 

tMilford,  James  R Pvt. 

♦Orel,  Walter Pvt. 

tPresley,  William  T Pvt. 

♦Rade,  John Pvt. 

§Reed,  Joseph  C Sgt. 

fRoper,  Parley  T Pvt. 

fScarborough,  James  Robert Pvt. 

♦SchneU,  Edward  H Pvt. 

♦Schnider,  Nicholas Pvt. 

fSchreeder,  Alvin  J Cpl. 

fSeymore,  George Pvt. 

♦Shumate,  William  David Pvt. 

♦Stover,  Fred  E Pvt. 

fSwan,  John Mech. 

§Tack,  Fred  M Pvt. 

tTarter,  Robert  A Pvt. 

♦Thomas,  Ernest  L Pvt. 

♦VanDyne,  Arthur  C Pvt. 

♦Vie,  Ohver PFC. 

♦Walker,  Ralph  J Pvt. 

fWilliams,  George  P Pvt. 

♦Wilson,  Irvin Pvt. 

♦Wilson,  Raymond  K Pvt. 

♦York,  Will Pvt. 


COMPANY 


♦Baxter,  Christopher  S 2d  Lt. 

♦Gardner,  Charles  T 2d  Lt. 

tPeterson,  Andrew  P 2d  Lt. 

♦Sheridan,  Philip  B 2d  Lt. 

♦Andras,  Mike Pvt. 


♦Anglin,  Henry Cpl. 

♦Armstrong,  William Cpl. 

♦Bach,  James  Nicholi Pvt. 

tScott,  Charles  L Pvt. 

♦Carlson,  Victor PFC. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


26th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "L"    (Contd.) 


Name  Kank 

*Cechas,  Charles  A Pvt. 

*Cegersld,  Mike PFC. 

*Council,  McSwain Pvt. 

§Craig,  Richard  J Pvt. 

tDavis,  Dewey PFC. 

*Dawn,  John  R Sgt. 

*Dean,  Percy  A Cpl. 

*Dendor,  .John Pvt. 

*Dobrzycki,  Alexander Pvt. 

*DowdelI,  Charles  R Pvt. 

*Elliott,  Earl Pvt. 

*Fisher,  Milford  O Pvt. 

♦Foreman,  Fred  H Pvt. 

tFry,  Walter  N Pvt. 

*Fry,  William  A Pvt. 

fGlazebrook,  Harley Pvt. 

tHaddox,  Guy  E Pvt. 

*Heidenberg,  Arvid  W Cpl. 

*Judge,  Lawrence  R Cpl. 

*Katsar,  James Pvt. 

fKracmer,  Frank Pvt . 

*Kramer,  Frank  A Pvt. 

*Kuhne,  Fred Pvt. 

*Kwiatkowski,  Maral Pvt. 

*Lee,  William  F Cpl. 

*Le  Tourneau,  Elmer  L Pvt. 

*Lewis,  James Pvt. 

*McKeon,  Warren  A Pvt. 

§McKnight,  Stanley  Sifford Pvt. 

fMalloy,  John  Joseph Pvt. 

♦Manchester,  Hugh  A Cpl. 

tMann,  Edward  L Cpl. 

*Marchlewski,  Franciszck ,  .  Pvt. 

*Massey,  Clarence Pvt. 

*Mathews,  Earl Sgt. 

tMeyers,  Joseph  J Pvt. 

fMeystre,  Emile  F Pvt. 

§Morrison,  Thomas Mech. 


Name  Rank 

*Mosoean,  George PFC. 

*Nesseth,  George Pvt. 

*Norris,  Rox Pvt. 

fNurkewicz,  Peter  Paul Pvt. 

*Oberthur,  Henry Pvt. 

♦Peterson,  Lars  P Pvt. 

*Pfaff,  George  W Pvt. 

♦Robinson,  Clay  M Cpl. 

♦Rodebaugh,  Norman  B PFC. 

♦Regan,  Carl  E Pvt. 

♦Rutledge,  Alvie  D Sgt. 

♦Schaat,  Glenn  E Pvt. 

♦Sema,  Jacob Pvt. 

§Sheridan,  Robert Pvt. 

♦Sims,  Early  R Pvt. 

♦Skinner,  Arthur  G Pvt. 

♦Snyder,  Frank  S Pvt. 

♦Snyder,  John  H Pvt. 

♦.Stark,  Gilbert  L Sgt. 

♦Steinbacher,  Royal  P Sgt. 

♦Stevenson,  James  S Cpl. 

§Swanson,  Paul  E Pvt. 

♦Thornton,  Frank  A PFC. 

♦Tower,  Charles Pvt. 

tTowslee,  Frank  W Pvt. 

tUrinsz,  Peter PFC. 

♦Valent,  Manuel  G Pvt. 

♦Van  Voorhees,  Leslie  B Pvt. 

♦Walker,  Ira Pvt. 

nValter,  Chester  W Pvt. 

♦Wasarab,  Mike Pvt. 

§Wlieeler,  Harrison Pvt. 

♦Willets,  James  B Pvt. 

♦Wilson,  Arvie  R Pvt. 

♦Winston,  Frank  J Pvt. 

♦Wood,  Edwin  Dwight Pvt. 

♦Wyatt,  Homer Pvt. 


COMPANY   "M" 


fFrey,  Amel Capt. 

♦Payne,  Francis  W 2d  Lt. 

♦Arneson,  Ole  K Pvt. 

♦Baker,  Earl  Eaphram Pvt. 

♦Benson,  Walt  F Cpl. 

♦Brandt,  Henry  A PFC. 

fBurkhardt,  Charles  W' Pvt. 

tColeman,  Rufus  E Pvt. 


fDawson,  Dayton  L Pvt. 

fDeering,  William  B Cpl. 

♦England,  Richard PFC. 

♦Gledhill,  Herbert  F Pvt. 

♦Greenlee,  Oviel  E Cpl. 

♦Handstad,  Arthur  M Pvt. 

♦Hansen,  Peter  T Pvt. 

♦Harris,  Harry  L Cpl. 


312 


HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


26th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "M"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Hilger,  John Sgt. 

tLoudon,  Allen  B Pvt. 

*Luebker,  Cieorge Pvt. 

*McNitt,  Shirley Pvt. 

*Miller,  Donald  A Pvt. 

*Moe,  Engwald  R Pvt. 

*Neustel,  William Pvt. 

*Peterson,  Harry  P Pvt. 

*Pietraszak,  Charley Sgt. 

tPotel,  George  A Sgt. 

*Potratz,  Bert  J Cpl. 

*Poznsnski,  Leo Pvt. 

*Rettig,  Arthur  W Cpl. 

fReuss,  Frank Pvt. 

tRobertson,  John  L Pvt. 

*Rogillio,  Eugene  Weldon PFC. 

*Sahagian,  Verdick Pvt. 

§Schultz,  Frank Sgt. 


Name  Rank 

*Severson,  Erik Pvt. 

*Shon.sey,  Thomas  B Pvt. 

*Silker,  Wyatt PFC. 

§Siltman,  Eldred  E Cpl. 

*Skraba,  Bassil PFC. 

*Stewart,  Stannie  W Pvt. 

*StockweIl,  George Pvt. 

*Stoltman,  Joseph  V Pvt. 

tTaylor,  William  H Pvt. 

*Tcrrill,  Vernon  H Pvt. 

*Tcttamanti,  Agcstino Pvt. 

*Thome,  Walter  J Pvt. 

*Thomp.son,  Leroy  E Pvt. 

*Tiedman,  Arthur  H.  B PFC. 

*Walsh,  Ambrose Pvt. 

fWeiner,  Harry Cpl. 

*Wieglenda,  George Pvt. 


28th   infantry 
FIELD  AND  STAFF 


*Maxey,  Robert  J Lt.  Col. 

*Ra.smus.sen,  Axel  Severin Maj. 

*0'Flaherty,  Coleman  E Capt. 

*Cox,  PaulG 2dLt. 

*Dearing,  Vinton  A 2d  Lt. 


*Gardncr,  Benjamin  Howard,  Jr. .  .2d  Lt. 

*Gray,  Norborne  Rus.sel 2d  Lt. 

*McKinlock,  George  Alexander,  Jr. 2d  Lt. 
fMoore,  Arthur  B 2d  Lt. 


HEADQUARTERS   COMPANY 


tAhenok,  Frank  A PFC. 

tBruny,  Charles  E Pvt. 

fFarley,  James  O Pvt. 

*Freeman,  Caro  E Sgt. 

tGosnell,  William  W PFC. 

*Gritfin,  Herbert Cpl. 

*Gruba,  Pete PFC. 

§Hastings,  WiUiam  J Pvt. 

§Hatch,  Archie  T Pvt. 

*Honaker,  Zed  S Pvt. 

*Janssens,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Jaquays,  Calvin  B Pvt. 

*Jurach,  Joseph  P Pvt. 

*Katz,  Simon Pvt. 


*Kole.sar,  John Pvt. 

*McCary,  Cirenus  E PFC. 

fMarckx,  Joseph Cpl. 

*Morton,  Marvin  A Pvt. 

§Moss,  Arthur  M Pvt. 

tOwens,  Sidney  Lovejoy Pvt. 

*Perdue,  Jessie Pvt 

*Ramey,  Everett  L Cpl. 

*Schofield,  WiUiam Sgt. 

|]Schrock,  Leo Cpl. 

*Schroll,  Charles Pvt. 

*Schwartz,  John Sgt. 

*Smith,  Harley  C Pvt. 

*Tuttle,  Victor  J PFC. 


SUPPLY   COIMPANY 


tCuffman,  Robert  J Pvt. 

§Ernest,  Marion  J Wag. 

§Givcns,  John  J Wag. 


§Hamilton,  Clair  T Wag. 

*Kutcher,  Frank  J Wag. 

*Manley,  Edward Wag. 


THE   HONOR   ROLL 


313 


28th    infantry    (Contd.) 
SUPPLY  COMPANY   (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

§Naylor,  Roland Wag. 

§Russell,  Ernest Cpl. 


Name 

fWalkers,  Ernest  C. 


Rank 

,.Sgt. 


MACHINE   GUN   COMPANY 


*Garrett,  Victor  E. . .' 1st  Lt. 

♦Abbott,  Ronald  W Pvt. 

*Caralimas,  Frank PFC. 

*Ciezielczyk,  Jacob Pvt. 

llCusick,  William  J Pvt. 

tBenson,  RoUa Pvt. 

*Bezzenberger,  John  E Sgt. 

♦Bowman,  Edward  F PFC. 

♦Brockman,  Arthur PFC. 

*Brown,  Frank  J Pvt. 

*Butzier,  Clarence Pvt. 

*Daugherty,  Benjamin  F PFC. 

§Davis,  George Pvt. 

*Denski,  Fred  J Pvt. 

*Dolan,  Edward  M Sgt. 

*Eaves,  John  B Pvt. 

*Florhaug,  John Pvt. 

*Frost,  Ralph Pvt. 

*Gray,  Clarence Pvt. 

*Gutofski,  Charles Cpl. 

*Hanscom,  Wilmer  W Pvt. 

*Hart,  David  P Pvt. 


♦Herbert,  Frank Pvt. 

*Hill,  Henry  D Pvt. 

*Holt,  JohnO Pvt. 

*Hosterman,  Roland  R Pvt. 

♦Kezraarczk,  Adam Pvt. 

*Kirby,  Henry Pvt. 

*McCraken,  Thomas  D Pvt. 

♦Melang,  Otto  C Cook 

tMurray,  Jesse  L Pvt. 

*Prine,  Jesse Pvt. 

fRobinson,  Archie  L Pvt. 

fRussell,  Ezra Cpl. 

♦Schulte,  Albert  J Pvt. 

fSmith,  John  W Pvt. 

fTraynor,  Oakley  O PFC. 

§Tripp,  Wayne Pvt. 

♦Trombley,  Joseph  A Sgt. 

♦Warner,  Walter  D PFC. 

♦Wilson,  Homer  A Pvt. 

♦Wright,  Leonard  C Pvt. 

♦Ziegehiieier,  Henry  R PFC. 


MEDICAL  DETACHMENT 


♦Skilling,  John  G 1st  Lt. 

♦Antes,  Jay  LeRoy Pvt. 

fBeck,  Arcaduis  C Pvt. 

§Blumberg,  Harris Pvt. 

♦Draper,  John  T PFC. 

♦Eschbach,  Harry  H Pvt. 

♦Green,  Clarence  E PFC. 

§HaU,  CuitR PFC. 

♦Hinton,  James  L Pvt. 


♦Jones,  Lemuel  M Sgt. 

♦Lett,  Bemie PFC. 

♦Mahaffey,  Emory Pvt. 

♦Mathews,  Leon  Rajonond Pvt. 

♦Moser,  Charles  D Pvt. 

♦Ogden,  George  A Pvt. 

liRecknall,  Floyd  E PFC. 

§Thomas,  John Pvt. 


COMPANY    "A" 


♦Anderson,  Robert  B 1st  Lt. 

♦Howe,  Frank  A 2d  Lt. 

♦Agesten,  Charles  C Pvt. 

♦Allaria,  John Pvt. 

♦Anikewich,  Gust Pvt. 

♦Arndt,  Harry  C PFC. 

♦Austin,  George  W Pvt. 

♦Barber,  Joseph Pvt. 


♦Boggs,  James  Howard Pvt. 

♦Bonsnas,  Alfred  M Pvt. 

♦Brict,  Stanley Pvt. 

♦Brown,  Harvey  L Pvt. 

♦Brown,  Herman  Edgar Pvt. 

♦Carlos,  James  A Pvt. 

♦Castagne,  Frank  J Pvt. 

tCater,  Ira  L Pvt. 


■M\ 


HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


28th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "A"    (Contd.) 


Namb 


Rank 


*Christensen,  Andres  J Pvt . 

*Cockerline,  Conrad  C Pvt. 

*Croswell,  Wiley  M Pvt. 

*Cunninf!;ham,  Martin  J Cpl. 

*Daetwiler,  Walter Pvt. 

*Dilley,  Walter  W Pvt. 

*DuBuque,  Eudore Pvt. 

tDuby,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Dukorsky,  Dave Pvt. 

*Dunham,  Carl  C Pvt. 

fErvick,  .John Pvt. 

*Fairland,  .lo.seph  \^' Pvt. 

*Fimiegan,  Robert Cpl. 

*Fitzer,  Louis  F Pvt. 

tGaw,  Frederick  A Pvt. 

*Graham,  Joe  L Pvt. 

*Gray,  Ezra Pvt. 

*Gregor,  Frank Pvt. 

*Hage,  Albert Pvt. 

*Hahn,  Walter Pvt. 

♦Hamilton,  Walker  E Pvt. 

*Hansen,  Arthur Pvt. 

fHarper,  Fred  E Pvt. 

*Herring,  Jonas  R Pvt. 

*Hines,  Willis Pvt. 

♦Hoffman,  Edward Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

♦Holland,  Henry- Pvt. 

♦Jones,  Clifford Pvt. 

fKeowen,  Henry  C Pvt. 

♦Laekshire,  Archie. . .  ; Pvt. 

♦Lacy,  Michael Pvt. 

♦Leathenvood,  Clyde  E Pvt. 

||Long,  Andrew Pvt. 

♦Luzzi,  Francesco Pvt. 

♦McKeon,  James  J Pvt. 

♦McKinney,  Harry PFC. 

♦Malino,  Dominick Pvt. 

♦Martin,  Frank Pvt. 

tMiller,  John  F PFC. 

♦Mitchell,  Thomas Pvt. 

♦Mullin,  Elisha Pvt. 

♦Mulhns,  Stanley Pvt. 

♦Nicholson,  Angus Pvt. 

♦Olsen,  Merle PFC. 

♦Sandoski,  Vastel Pvt. 

♦Schutzman,  Walter  J Pvt. 

♦Siler,  Andy Pvt. 

fSmith,  James  A PFC. 

♦Weber,  Nicholas Pvt. 

fWhite,  Clarence  G Pvt. 

♦Woodward,  Benjamin  Stone Pvt. 

♦Wright,  Marvin  G Pvt. 


COMPANY    "B" 


♦Oliver,  Clarence  R Capt. 

fSaffold,  Ray  P 1st  Lt. 

♦Abels,  Cecil  C Mech. 

♦Adema,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Amundson,  Ralph Pvt. 

♦Am,  George Pvt. 

fAucoin,  Joseph Cpl. 

♦Basel,  Charles  F Pvt. 

♦Baxter,  John Pvt. 

♦Beam,  Dewey  G Pvt. 

fBikow,  Andrew Mech. 

♦Brandon,  Ray  C PFC. 

tBywater,  Claude  D PFC. 

♦Garden,  James  E Sgt. 

♦Chiesa,  Carmelo PFC. 

♦Clautier,  Joseph Pvt. 

♦Cook,  Elmer PFC. 

♦Cooper,  Abner  W PFC. 

♦Corcoran,  Francis  James Pvt. 

♦Cornish,  Van  Allen Pvt. 


♦Cottingham,  Thomas  R Pvt. 

♦Crabtree,  Malcolm  K Cpl. 

♦Czech,  Simon PFC. 

♦Digelman,  Charles  W PFC. 

♦Drake,  Charles  A PFC. 

♦Dzierzak,  Roman PFC. 

♦East,  Bennie  W Pvt. 

♦Eby,  Chfton  E PFC. 

♦Eskew,  Paul  K PFC. 

tFaulstick,  William  F Pvt. 

♦Fessenden,  WiUard Cpl. 

fFischer,  Lewis  E Pvt. 

♦Fowler,  Ira  W Pvt. 

♦Frazier,  Arthur Pvt. 

♦Gray,  Claude  M Pvt. 

tGreen,  Jasper  S Pvt. 

llGutfranski,  Jose Pvt. 

♦Hartmann,  Earnest  C Pvt. 

♦Hawley,  Ira  Archie Pvt. 

♦Heimback,  Harry  D Pvt. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


315 


28th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "B"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

§Henneman,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Hobbs,  Rodney  J Pvt. 

*Kasper,  Joe Pvt. 

tKelly,  Daniel  J Cpl. 

*Kmg,  Herbert  W Pvt. 

*Kozlo\vsky,  Max  J Pvt. 

*Latuk,  Stanley  B Pvt. 

*Magnon,  Clustav  A Pvt. 

fMargeson,  Wylie Cpl. 

*Marinie,  Charlie Pvt. 

*Meece,  Etheridge Pvt. 

*Miller,  Angus Pvt. 

*Munro,  James Pvt. 

*Nolte,  Clarence  H Pvt. 

*Norris,  George Pvt. 

*Pfarrer,  William  H Pvt. 

*Pinelli,  Joseph Pvt. 

*PHska,  Thomas Pvt. 

*Reagan,  Govan  B PFC. 


Name  Rank 

*Reid,  Randall  J Pvt. 

IIResinar,  Nick  L Cpl. 

*Rosenberg,  Hyman  C Cpl. 

♦Rouillard,  Ludger Pvt. 

*Tunno,  Sabatino Pvt. 

*Schermerhorn,  Lorin  E Pvt. 

*,Schwenimer,  Gotfred Pvt. 

*Sheline,  Bennie  C Pvt. 

*Smiddy,  Louis Sgt. 

*,Starrett,  David  H Pvt. 

tSteinman,  Earl  C Pvt. 

*Stewart,  George  E Pvt. 

*Thomas,  LesUe Pvt. 

*Trushinski,  Albert Pvt. 

*Tunbrono,  Ginsidio Pvt. 

§Tuttle,  Frank  F Pvt. 

*Wieszomierski,  Thomas Pvt. 

♦Wiggins,  Bennie Pvt. 

*Wright,  Frank Pvt. 


COMPANY    "C 


*Rice,  Warren 1st  Lt. 

fAUingham,  Jesse  F Pvt. 

*Anderson,  Henry  L Pvt. 

*Bates,  Isaac  Finley Pvt. 

fBerggren,  Carl  E Pvt. 

tBlock,  Adolph PFC. 

*Borst,  Albert Pvt. 

fCastiglione,  Guido Sgt. 

*Caudle,  James  A Pvt. 

fChristensen,  Henry Cpl. 

*Ekstedt,  Clarence  E Pvt. 

*Enright,  Stephen Cpl. 

*Fidler,  Phil Pvt. 

*Fields,  James PFC. 

*Fleming,  James  F Pvt. 

*Friday ,  George Cpl. 

*Frydelund,  John  O Sgt. 

*Gallagan,  Wilbur  T Bug. 

fGassenberger,  George Pvt. 

*Griep,  Weyner  Hugo  Frank Pvt . 

*Hall,  Walter  R Sgt. 

*Hancock,  Frank  W Pvt. 

fHendrickson,  David Pvt. 

*Ickowe.ski,  Joseph Pvt. 

tJames,  William Pvt. 

*Keen,  Cabe Pvt. 

*Kendhammer,  Frank Pvt. 

*Koziol,  John Pvt. 


*Maichrzak,  Frank PFC. 

*Maiewski,  Joseph PFC. 

*Masch,  Fred Pvt. 

*Oost,  Allen  D Cpl. 

*Parks,  Tilden Pvt. 

tQuigley,  Charles Pvt. 

*Reardon,  Charles Sgt. 

*Rupp,  Joseph  H Pvt. 

*Schmidt,  Sam  A PFC. 

*Simpson,  Edward  Clarence Pvt. 

*Sorenson,  Oscar  A Pvt. 

♦Spenser,  John  C Pvt. 

llStocker,  John  M Pvt. 

*Stryelechi,  Frank Pvt. 

*Terbrack,  Fred  W Pvt. 

§Tingle,  John  M Pvt. 

♦Trowbridge,  Madison  K Cpl. 

§Turkofsky,  Otto  M Pvt. 

♦Turner,  Elisa  L Sgt. 

*Tutt,  Benjamin  V Cpl. 

*Waligurski,  Joseph Pvt. 

♦Walker,  Clyde Pvt. 

§Wardlaw,  Polk Pvt. 

tWells,  Kenneth  S Pvt. 

♦West,  Tom  R Pvt. 

♦Williams,  Lee  D Pvt. 

♦Williams,  Theodore  CoUery Pvt. 

♦Wray,  Laird  A Cpl. 


316 


HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


28th.   INFANTRY    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "D" 


Name  Rank 

§Sorenson,  Soren  C Capt. 

*Buchaiman,  Max  C 2d  Lt. 

*Stainton,  Marvin  E 2d  Lt. 

tAckcrman,  Raymond  A Pvt. 

*Adains,  Ranzie Pvt. 

§Allon,  John  M Pvt. 

*Alton,  Forrest  A Pvt. 

*Angcll,  Jerome Pvt. 

*An.slow,  George Cpl. 

*Ballard,  Orvile  F Pvt. 

♦Beard,  Otto PFC. 

*Bolis,  Steve  P Pvt. 

fBrun.st,  Otto Pvt. 

§Buta,  Peter Pvt. 

§CarIson,  Erne.st  E Sgt. 

*Carravctta,  Pasquale Pvt. 

*Cole,  Alton  C Pvt. 

*Conti,  Guiseppi Pvt. 

*Cook,  George  D Pvt. 

*Curran,  Stephen Pvt. 

*Czamiewski,  Isadora Pvt. 

*Davis,  Paul  William Pvt. 

*Dawson,  Hartman Pvt. 

*Day,  Willie  B Pvt. 

*Denglcr,  William  W Sgt. 

*Doan,  Charles Pvt. 

*Dunkle,  Elmer Pvt. 

fDurham,  Merritt  B Pvt. 

♦Durham,  Rufus  M Cpl. 

*Duron,  Michael  F Pvt. 

*Dust,  George  F Pvt. 

*Eid.svik,  Thomas Pvt. 

*Ellis,  Richard PFC. 

fEstes,  Charley  D Pvt. 

*Facundas,  Devvitt  A Pvt. 

§Fahrnbach,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Farrelly,  John  J Cpl. 

♦Fletcher,  Olen Pvt. 

♦Fishette,  William Pvt. 

♦Fritz,  Herman  C Pvt. 

jGallagher,  Neal Pvt. 

♦Ganadu,  Lorenzo Pvt. 

♦Girdley,  Claude Pvt. 

§Golladay,  James  D Bug. 

♦Gras.si,  Antonio Pvt. 

♦Gunderson,  Solon  Paul Pvt. 

tGura,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Harvoy,  James  W Pvt. 

♦Hodbloom,  August  A Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

♦Hochstrasser,  George Pvt. 

♦Hockenberry,  Roy  N Sgt. 

♦Horton,  Ramond  A Pvt. 

♦Jackson,  Noble  C Pvt. 

tJinmierson,  Angus Cpl. 

♦Jordan,  Carl Pvt. 

♦Kelley ,  Frank  J Pvt. 

♦Klimowcry,  Hendujk Pvt. 

♦Koudelka,  Anton PFC. 

♦Kukla,  Thomas Pvt. 

♦Lauersdorf ,  Fred Pvt. 

♦Linder,  Edgar  L Pvt. 

♦Livick,  Rollin PFC. 

♦Manitu,  Theodore Pvt. 

♦Marquardt,  Frank  W Pvt. 

♦Marshall,  Maxwell  H Pvt. 

♦Melton,  Chester Cpl. 

♦Meyers,  Edward  Frederick Pvt. 

fMisiewicz,  Zygmunt Pvt. 

tOdle,  AlvaS". Pvt. 

♦Olencak,  Ignatius Pvt. 

fPapineau,  James  H Pvt. 

tPeterson,  Phillips Pvt. 

♦Phillips,  William  O Pvt. 

♦Pinella,  Jo.seph Pvt. 

fPol,  Ralph Pvt. 

♦Pooler,  John  R Sgt. 

♦Sager,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Salvatore,  Moto Pvt. 

♦Scarborough,  Milton  Watson Cpl. 

♦Schaefer,  William  J Pvt. 

§Slayback,  Howard Sgt. 

♦Small,  Frank Pvt. 

§Smith,  Charles  E Pvt. 

♦Spencer,  John  C Pvt. 

♦Spiess,  Harry PFC. 

♦Swanson,  Otto  B Pvt. 

§Terman,  Sam  M Pvt. 

fVances,  Paul Pvt. 

♦Walker,  Arby  E PFC. 

♦Walker,  Ross  E Pvt. 

♦Walshe,  Michael Pvt. 

§Warren,  John  G Mech. 

♦Weil,  Edward  F Pvt. 

♦Wertanen,  John Pvt. 

♦Wilson,  Leigh  Elsworth PFC. 

♦Young,  John  W Pvt. 

♦Zeh,  Dennis  F PFC. 


THE   HONOR   ROLL 


317 


28th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "E" 


Name  Rank 

fCoacher,  W.  H Capt. 

*Curry,  John  V 2d  Lt. 

*George,  Calvin 2d  Lt. 

tGraham,  John  B 2d  Lt. 

*Adams,  James  W Pvt. 

*Ashby,  Samuel  D Pvt. 

*Bell,  Guy Pvt. 

tBennett,  John  11 Pvt. 

*Blcvin.s,  Homer  H Pvt. 

*Bos.s,  Spencer  R Pvt. 

tBrechtel,  Walter Pvt. 

*Burns,  Jame.s  A Pvt. 

♦Campbell,  Ohver  P PFC. 

*Coohran,  Gardy  M Pvt. 

*Cooksley,  Frank Pvt. 

*CorneUson,  Fred  B PFC. 

§Cowan,  Andrew  H Pvt. 

*Darr,  Robert  Frank Pvt. 

♦Deaton,  Frank Pvt. 

fDennis,  Haywood Pvt. 

*Dicello,  Anthony Cpl. 

♦Dietrich,  Carl  F Pvt. 

*Dobson,  Herbert Pvt. 

tDodd-s,  Earl  B Pvt. 

♦Dubord,  Frank  D Pvt. 

♦Dummitt,  Mike Pvt. 

*Ellis,  James? Pvt. 

*Fields,  Clarence Pvt. 

*Hammett,  William Pvt. 

*Hansel,  William  Washington Pvt. 

*Hayek,  Edward Cpl. 

*Haye.?,  Merge Cpl. 

fHoy,  Sylvester  J Cpl. 

fJohnson,  Walter Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

tJones,  Walter  L Pvt. 

tJubb,  James  E Pvt. 

*Kay,  Robert  E Cpl. 

♦Keffer,  Eli  Stanley Pvt. 

*Kluck,  CarlF Pvt. 

*Larsen,  Marshall  O Pvt. 

♦Lloyd,  Henry  H Sgt. 

♦Long,  Paul  H Sgt. 

§Luehrs,  Paul  J Cook 

♦McClain,  Burnaird  C Pvt. 

♦Magnett,  Earl  D Pvt. 

♦Marshall,  Clare  H Pvt. 

♦Martin,  Dewey  G Pvt. 

♦Matheney,  Samuel  J Cpl. 

♦Milner,  Raymond  W Sgt. 

♦Pelley,  James Sgt. 

♦Pitt,  Edward  C PFC. 

♦Plowman,  Yerkes Pvt. 

♦Reardon,  John  E Mech. 

tRoss,  Ernest  C Pvt. 

♦Saenger,  Wesley  John Pvt. 

♦Shepard,  Charles  T Pvt. 

♦Shuster,  Stephen Pvt. 

♦Smith,  Clannie Pvt. 

fSmith,  Lee  E Pvt. 

♦Sparks,  Trimble  C Pvt. 

♦Summers,  George  W Mech. 

♦Tabor,  Lewis  J Bug. 

♦Turner,  Fred  E Pvt. 

♦West,  Robert Pvt. 

tWood,  Claude  S Pvt. 

♦Wood,  Hur.shel Pvt. 

♦Zahnow,  Walter  A Pvt. 


COMPANY 


♦Anderson,  James  A Capt. 

♦Harrison,  Ray  P Capt. 

♦Allen,  Isaac Pvt. 

♦Andrekovich,  Mike Pvt. 

♦Ardis,  John  Bryan PFC. 

♦Barth,  George  L Pvt. 

IIBayer,  Michael Pvt. 

♦Beard,  Ellis Pvt. 

♦Bradley,  Jesse Pvt. 

♦Bradley,  Luther Pvt. 

fBruess,  Helmuth Pvt. 

tBurriss,  Millard  R Cpl. 


♦Carpenter,  Ralph  J PFC. 

§Carter,  Charles Pvt. 

fCely,  Jo.seph  F Cpl. 

♦Clarke,  .Jeff  D Pvt. 

♦Cloutier,  .Joseph PFC. 

♦Cole,  Arthur  J Mech. 

llCollins,  Robert Pvt. 

♦Cross,  Raphael  E Pvt. 

♦Daniels,  Henry  Powell PFC. 

♦Davis,  Peyton  David Pvt. 

♦Dinitto,  Erasmo Pvt. 

♦Douglas,  Ivenneth Pvt. 


318 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 


28th   infantry   (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "F"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Fahncstalk,  Harvey  W PFC. 

*Galloway.  David Pvt . 

IIGentile,  Joe Pvt. 

*Gochnour,  Cloyd  G Pvt. 

♦Griffith,  James  M PFC. 

*Grove,  Henry  J Pvt. 

*Harris,  Vaughn  R Pvt. 

tHaucke,  Ernest  H Pvt . 

♦Howard,  Fred  Winiield PFC. 

*James,  Clay Pvt. 

*Jindra,  Joseph Cpl. 

§Johnsa,  F.  G Cpl. 

*Kregel,  Edward  H Cpl. 

*Lee,  Eddie Sgt. 

*Leiter,  Joseph Pvt. 

'Lesley,  Francis PFC. 

*Lewis,  Thomas  A Pvt. 

♦Lidral,  Frank  E Pvt. 

§Lodge,  ]?obert  J.  H Pvt. 

fMcGee,  Luther Pvt,. 

tMalone,  Frank  E Pvt. 

'Many,  Ernest  T PFC. 

*Martin.son,  Carl Pvt. 

jMoran,  Frank Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

♦Morrison,  Roy  W Pvt. 

♦Nedzelski,  John Pvt. 

llO'Neil,  Thomas Pvt. 

llPaege,  Leo  R Pvt. 

♦Papka,  William  A Pvt. 

♦Parsons,  Enoch  O . Pvt. 

♦Perras,  Ernest  W Pyt. 

♦Pfost,  Raymond Pvt. 

♦Roe,  William Pvt. 

♦Rothmaier,  William  J. .  .      Sgt. 

tRountree,  Joseph  D PFC. 

fSchmidt,  Henry  J Pvt. 

♦Sledge,  Edward  L Sgt. 

♦Smith,  John  H Pvt. 

♦Smith,  Harry  W PFC. 

llSutherland,  Jacob.  ...  .Pvt. 

tTobey,  Herbert  A Sgt. 

♦Vencelt,  Arthur  S Pvt. 

♦Waite,  William  W Pvt. 

♦Wall,  Lester  R Cpl. 

♦Wear,  William  L PFC. 

♦Wilson,  Gilbert Pvt. 

tWood.  Marion  Arthur Cpl. 

♦Zarnescu,  Christ  Niton PFC. 


COMPANY   "G" 


♦Watson,  Thomas  H 2d  Lt. 

fBenart,  Joseph  J Pvt. 

♦Bierhorst,  William Pvt. 

♦Bobbitt,  Charles  Augustus Pvt.. 

♦BoUey,  Rus.sell  W Pvt. 

♦Brown,  Gertie Pvt. 

♦Brown,  Troy Pvt. 

♦Burnett,  Wilson  B Pvt. 

♦Cady,  Melville  W Pvt. 

♦Cajda,  John Pvt. 

♦Cannon,  John Pvt. 

♦Carnary,  Theophilus Pvt. 

♦Caudle,  Lee Pvt. 

♦Cearley,  John  L Pvt. 

§Coffman,  Frank  L Cpl. 

♦Cowan,  Charles  E PFC. 

♦Curfman,  Thomas  Dexter Sgt. 

♦D'Annolfo,  Salvatore Pvt. 

♦Denton,  Oscar  A Pvt. 

♦Dicki.son,  Leon  A Sgt. 

♦Edmondson,  Harry  F Pvt. 

♦Edwards,  John  M.,  Jr Pvt. 


♦Fant,  Edward  W   Pvt,. 

♦Fant,  Guy  W Pvt. 

♦Flynn,  Cornelius  F Cpl. 

♦Freeman,  Clarence Pvt. 

♦Freeman,  Daniel  Pioneer PFC. 

♦Gates,  Eldon Pvt.. 

tGeblein,  William Pvt. 

♦Geiger,  Louis  W Sgt. 

♦Godinski,  Harry Cpl. 

♦Griggs,  Robert  Ollie Pvt. 

tGunn,  Leon  L Pvt. 

♦Gunthner,  Charles  Pvt. 

♦Haas,  .John  R.,  Jr Pvt. 

§Hajduk,  Paul  H Pvt. 

♦Herbert,  Dupre  J Pvt. 

♦Loyd,  Edgar  Herbert Pvt. 

♦Maruca,  Giovanni Pvt. 

tMasters,  Paul Pvt. 

tMattingly,  Linnie  A Mech. 

♦Miles,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Mitchell,  Nile Pvt. 

♦Monicn,  Leo  M Pvt. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


319 


28th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "G"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

fMoran,  William  H Pvt . 

*Murray,  Delbert Pvt. 

♦Nelson,  Earl Pvt. 

fNietis,  Manuel Pvt. 

*Nilles,  John  T Pvt. 

*Oakes,  Eugene Pvt. 

*Osborn,  Laurence Pvt. 

*Osborn,  Sherman  H Pvt. 

*Ostrander,  Albert  H.  L Pvt. 

*Palazzo,  Leonard  J Pvt. 

fPayne,  Walter  J Pvt. 

♦Peters,  William  H Pvf 

*Pichotta,  Raymond  F Pvt. 

♦Poland,  Clifford Pvt. 

♦Prell,  Hugo Pvt. 

♦Punk,  Frank  E Pvt. 

♦Radandt,  Alfred Pvt. 

♦Rahuvik,  Peter Pvt. 

♦Rigsby,  Wirt Pvt. 

♦Robey,  Carl  E Pvt. 

♦Rutkins,  Tony Pvt. 

♦Simmons,  Curtis Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

tSmith,  Charles  A Pvt. 

♦Smith,  Charles  R Cpl. 

♦Sousley,  Edward  Z Pvt. 

♦Stallings,  Bryan Pvt. 

tStrauolmian,  Edgar  C Pvt. 

♦Stunkard,  Roy Pvt. 

♦Tabor,  Lewis Pvt. 

♦Tarter,  Ellis  H Pvt. 

♦Thompson,  Ray Pvt. 

♦Tirnady,  WiUiam Pvt. 

♦Togniotti,  Domenico Pvt. 

♦Venters,  Leshe  Robert PFC. 

♦Vonberger,  Erick Pvt. 

t Vroman,  Robert  C Pvt. 

t Wade,  Charles Cpl. 

♦Walsh,  Earl  L Pvt. 

§Wargo,  Jules Pvt. 

♦Weaver,  WilUam  E Cpl. 

fWiler,  Clarence  E Pvt. 

♦Windahl,  Bert  B Pvt. 

♦Wright,  David  M Pvt. 


COMPANY   "H' 


♦Crowley,  Sidney  L 1st  Lt. 

♦Bodenstab,  Wilmer 2d  Lt. 

♦Crawford,  John  D 2d  Lt. 

♦Beckett,  Raymond  Ray Pvt. 

♦Bouley,  Eh Mech. 

||Bridgeman,  Herman Pvt. 

♦Britton,  Samuel  W Pvt. 

♦Brown,  Abraham Pvt. 

tBrown,  George  W Cpl. 

♦Carroll,  Charles  H Pvt. 

♦Chsham,  Thomas  F Pvt. 

♦Colhns,  Robert  A Pvt. 

♦Cooker,  George Pvt. 

fCoulson,  Charlie  C Pvt. 

♦Grain,  Houston  W PFC. 

♦Crumb,  Homer Pvt. 

♦Currey,  Fred  L PFC. 

♦Daly,  James  B Pvt. 

♦Deen,  Fred  H PFC. 

♦Denney,  Will Pvt. 

♦Dryden,  Thomas Pvt. 

♦Dunbar,  Henry  C Pvt. 

♦Earls,  Curd  WiUiams Pvt. 

IIEllison,  James Pvt. 


♦Fredman,  Raymond Pvt. 

fFrisean,  Paul Pvt. 

♦Gallagher,  William Pvt. 

fGilhland,  Floyd Cpl. 

♦Gorehait,  John Pvt. 

tGorman,  John Pvt. 

♦Grant,  Thomas Sgt. 

♦Hassett,  Martin PFC. 

♦Huot,  Henry  J Pvt. 

♦James,  Perry  Eoch Cpl. 

♦Kapparos,  John Pvt. 

♦Kennedy,  Martin  P Pvt. 

♦Kihnshi,  Victor Pvt. 

♦Kiznerman,  Penko Sgt. 

♦Khne,  William  H Pvt. 

♦Kopp,  Henry PFC. 

♦Krueger,  Albert  C Pvt. 

§Kurtz,  Walter  L Sgt. 

♦Landry,  Sanford  A Pvt. 

tLatken,  David Pvt. 

§McGaharen,  Patrick Sgt. 

♦Micheh,  Cornelio Pvt. 

tMiller,  George  H Pvt. 

jMiller,  George  R Pvt. 


320 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 


28t'h   INFANTRY   (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "H"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Minch,  John  S PFC. 

*Mock,  Arthur  C Cpl. 

*Naujokitis,  John Pvt. 

*Paff,  Clarence  G PFC. 

*Payne,  John Pvt. 

*PerUn.skie,  Stiney Pvt. 

*Phmip.s,  Lee Cpl. 

jPolaio,  Guisseppe Pvt. 

*Reifm,  Abe Pvt. 

tRosenian,  Thedore Pvt. 

fRouse,  Homer Pvt. 

*Schultz,  William  W PFC. 

*Scott,  Frank  S Pvt. 

*Scroggins,  Aroille  G Pvt. 

*Sheultz,  Herman  D Pvt. 

♦Smith,  Frank PFC. 

*Smith,  Junior Bug. 

*Smith,  Leoney Pvt. 

tSoat,  Robert  W PFC. 


Name  Rank 

*Spada,  Salvatore Pvt. 

*Strachota,  Albert  A Pvt. 

*Titmgar,  Gu.staf Pvt. 

*Titu.s,  William  M Pvt. 

fTodd,  Joseph  M Pvt. 

*Tsiotras,  Pliezos Pvt. 

tVail,  Howard  L Pvt. 

*Vandeveer,  Zue Pvt. 

*Vergenz,  Fred  J PFC. 

♦Vetting,  Gilbert Pvt. 

*Votta,  John Pvt. 

*Wade,  Claude  J Pvt. 

fWalton,  Edward  W Pvt. 

*Weatherford,  Alvie  C Pvt. 

*Wetz,  CarlT Pvt. 

*Wildrick,  Jcseph Pvt. 

♦Williams,  Robert  J Pvt. 

tWines,  Frank  J Pvt. 

*Zitinetz,  Fidosay Pvt. 


COMPANY   "I" 


♦Hawkinson,  Howard  Edward Capt. 

♦Redwood,  George  Buchanan 1st  Lt. 

♦Venable,  Paul  C 1st  Lt. 

♦Felbel,  Frank  J 2d  Lt. 

♦Morrison,  John  S 2d  Lt. 

♦Abney,  George  M Pvt. 

♦Adams,  John Pvt. 

♦Adkias,  Earl Cpl. 

♦Ahola,  Niehodemus Pvt. 

*All)right,  Melvin  V Pvt. 

♦Alexander,  Will  F Cpl. 

tAmundson,  Albert  C PFC. 

♦Andrzejczyk,  Andrew Pvt. 

t Artusa,  Bruno Pvt. 

♦Aufmkolk,  Gustave Pvt. 

♦Bachman,  George Pvt. 

♦Beaudion,  Viateur Pvt. 

♦Bertclson,  Peter Pvt. 

♦Boswell,  Daniel  T Pvt. 

fBrook.s,  Ira Pvt. 

♦Broothen,  Gunner  O Pvt. 

♦Broughton,  Ben Pvt. 

♦Brown,  John  F PFC. 

§BurKner,  Raymond  F Pvt. 

♦Caplinger,  Owen Pvt. 

fCavender,  James  W Pvt. 

♦Clarizio,  Screrio Pvt. 


♦Clark,  Edward  F Pvt. 

♦Clegg,  Virgil  A PFC. 

♦CUett,  Earll Pvt. 

♦Close,  Arthur  Clayton Pvt. 

§CoIe,  Jerome Pvt. 

tCoUins,  WiUis  H Pvt. 

♦Cope,  Riley  G Pvt. 

♦Cottrell,  Donel  G Pvt. 

tDeRoo,  Floyd Pvt. 

♦Diamond,  Douglas  A Cpl. 

♦Dixon,  Frederick Cpl. 

tDubose,  Harvey Pvt. 

♦Duncan,  Herbert  S Cpl. 

♦Eggenberger,  Conrad Pvt. 

♦Eldex,  Peter Pvt. 

tEUington,  John  R Pvt. 

§Essex,  John  W Pvt. 

♦Feldman,  Morris Pvt. 

♦Fialkow.ski,  Antoni Pvt. 

♦Foley,  Charles  R Pvt. 

♦Gagen,  Leo  D Pvt. 

♦Gheer,  Marion Pvt. 

♦Gillespie,  Robert  J Pvt. 

♦Girado,  Samuel Pvt. 

♦Goldburg,  Samuel  A Sgt. 

♦Goldstein,  Lewis Pvt. 

tGorgol,  Joseph  S Pvt. 


THE  HONOR   ROLL 


321 


28th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "I"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

♦Harris,  Stanley  R Cpl. 

*Heesaker,  William PFC. 

fHessen,  Henry  J Pvt. 

§Hicks,  Clifton  R Pvt. 

jHoIraes,  Raymond  M Pvt. 

jHosford,  William  Henry Pvt. 

fHowe,  Lloyd  Stanley PFC. 

*Isom,  Forrest  I Pvt. 

*James,  William  S Pvt. 

*Keough,  Henry  J Bug. 

*Ledford,  Clifford Pvt. 

*Lembcke,  Herbert PFC. 

*Lubie\vski,  Anthony Pvt. 

tMcCluskey,  Guy  R PFC. 

*Maurer,  Richard  O Pvt. 

tMitchell,  Carl Cpl. 

♦Mitchell,  Jack Pvt. 

*01son,  OdinF PFC. 

*Orr,  James Pvt. 

*PanneIee,  Ray  Harrison Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

♦Peter,  Arnold  G Pvt. 

tRanee,  Fred  W PFC. 

♦Rapp,  William Pvt. 

♦Rickerd,  Ralph  L PFC. 

♦Ritchie,  Samuel  L Pvt. 

♦Rusick,  Dan PFC. 

♦Sanson,  Hershal Pvt. 

♦Scott,  Willie Pvt. 

♦Schuella,  Oscar Pvt. 

fSorg,  Walter  M Cpl. 

tSprinklo,  Henry  T PFC. 

♦Stanley,  Dewey  William Pvt. 

♦Stewart,  Theophilus Cpl. 

♦Suska,  Joseph Pvt. 

fTidd,  Charhe Cpl. 

tTilstra,  Gerritt Cpl. 

♦Ward,  Harold  J Cpl. 

♦Ward,  Jimmie  L Pvt. 

tWells,  Willie  B Pvt. 

fWilde,  Alexander Pvt. 


COMPANY   "K" 


♦Mosher,  Henry  E Capt. 

fReed,  George 1st  Lt. 

♦Derrickson,  Paul  Waples 2d  Lt. 

♦Drumni,  Clarence  M 2d  Lt. 

IIBallows,  James  V Cpl. 

♦Beckman,  August Pvt. 

♦Berkshire,  James Pvt. 

♦Blakeman,  Fred  M Pvt. 

tBolt,  Bernard  H PFC. 

♦Branshaw,  Raymond Pvt. 

fBrewer,  Teddy  C Pvt. 

JBrickner,  Clyde  W Pvt. 

fBuechler,  John Pvt. 

♦Burns,  James  J Pvt. 

llCanciglia,  Rosario Pvt. 

♦Carra,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Casey,  Lawrence  J PFC. 

fCaludio,  Thomas  M Pvt. 

♦Cooper,  Charles  M Cpl. 

tCox,  James  C Pvt. 

♦Daddario,  Emille Pvt. 

♦Dillow,  Henry Pvt. 

♦Dreger,  William Pvt. 

♦Drummond,  Walter  E Cpl. 

♦Duff,  James Pvt. 

§DumbIiski,  Anthony Pvt. 


♦Fanucci,  Guiseppe Pvt. 

fFlynn,  Benton Pvt. 

♦Fowler,  Paul  P Pvt. 

♦Gallina,  Christopher Mech. 

tGawne,  John Pvt. 

♦Gialanella,  Araedeo  R PFC. 

♦Gondeck,  Frank  E Pvt. 

♦Grice,  Max Pvt. 

♦Griepentrog,  Eugene Pvt. 

♦Griffin,  Joseph Pvt. 

§Harnish,  Lloyd  J Pvt. 

tHarp,  David  G Cpl. 

♦Harsch,  Charles  H PFC. 

♦Heath,  George  L Sgt. 

♦Hooper,  James  J Pvt. 

♦Hoy,  Abraham  Lincoln Pvt. 

♦Jackson,  Leonard  L Pvt. 

♦James,  Burton Pvt. 

t Johnston,  Abraham Pvt. 

♦Jones,  Ervin  I Sgt. 

♦Kane,  Anthony. Pvt. 

♦Kimber,  Walter Pvt. 

♦Knecht,  Wilham  H Cpl. 

♦Koenig,  Edwin  W Pvt. 

♦Korngold,  Nathan Cpl. 

tKuckku,  William  H Pvt. 


:?22 


HISTORY   OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 


28th   infantry    (Cnntd.) 
COMPANY    "K"    (Contd.) 


Name  Hank 

*Kuhl,  PaulH Pvt. 

fLartlinais,  Gregory Pvt. 

*Lehwald,  William Pvt. 

*Lenice,  Loren Cpl. 

*Long,  Lee  Raymond Pvt. 

fLong,  Lloyd  A Pvt. 

*Lucke,  Fred  W Pvt. 

*Lundstrom,  Irwin  J Pvt. 

*Lutz,  William Pvt. 

*McCann,  Clark  L CpL 

*McCredio,  Harry Cpl. 

fMcDonald,  Charlie Pvt. 

*Mahoney,  Grover  C PFC. 

*Mareiankow,  Frivder Pvt. 

*Manfardino,  Puvlo Pvt. 

*Marshall,  Lavon  A Pvt. 

*Martin,  John Pvt. 

*Mathews,  Lawrence  E Cpl. 

*Mattison,  George  P Pvt. 

*Mattson,  Andrew  O Pvt. 

*Mayuiers,  Joe Bug. 

*Meling,  Ludwig Pvt. 

*Miglas,  Theodore Pvt. 

*MiIls,  Chester  C Pvt. 

*Moore,  Jesse  H Mech. 

*Mozaks,  John Pvt. 

*Mumford,  Forest  L Pvt. 

*Murtha,  James Pvt. 

*Musser,  Guy  E Pvt. 

*Myers,  Charles  E Pvt. 

*Nail,  Robert  C Pvt. 

♦Northcutt,  Oakley Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Nowlain,  Willie  D Mech. 

*01son,  Omey Pvt. 

*Pap(>z,  Joseph  F Pvt. 

fPazuauski,  Leo Pvt. 

*Peden,  Thomas  E Sgt. 

tPreis,  Antoni PFC. 

tPrcvot,  .^dras FVt. 

tRandall,  Arthur Pvt. 

*Rivers,  Mathew  B Pvt. 

*Schmidt,  August Cpl. 

♦Schmidt,  Paul PFC. 

tShep|iard,  .\lbert 1st  Sgt. 

'Shoemaker,  Jethers Cpl. 

*Spell,  Neil  W Pvt. 

♦Thatcher,  John  K Pvt. 

♦Thompson,  James  A Pvt. 

♦Thomburg,  Fred  D Pvt. 

*Timmins,  Edward  C Pvt. 

tTonkel,  Mike Pvt. 

♦Turner,  Thomas  E Pvt. 

♦Varnado,  Virgil  V Pvt. 

♦Veal,  Robert  W PFC. 

♦Weber,  Walter  A Pvt. 

♦Weigel,  Alonzo  L Pvt. 

♦Wells,  Anderson  C Cpl. 

♦Weygandt,  Harry  W Cpl. 

♦Whitham,  Milton  M Pvt. 

♦Wilcox,  Robert  E Cpl. 

♦Zanis,  Peter Pvt. 

♦Zboran,  Joseph Pvt. 

fZippeon,  Abraham Cpl. 


COMPANY   "L" 


♦Haydock,  George  Guest 1st  Lt. 

♦Scroggie,  Dean  C 1st  Lt. 

♦Stramburg,  Charles  M 1st  Lt. 

♦Croak,  Frank  J 2d  Lt. 

♦Andrews,  Henry  A Pvt. 

♦Bainbridge,  WiUiam  L Pvt. 

♦Barksdale,  Edward  Marcelly,  Jr. .  .  .  Pvt. 

♦Bates,  John  Henry Pvt. 

♦Beltman,  Nick Pvt. 

♦Black,  Ralph  Clifford Pvt. 

♦Blum,  John Pvt. 

♦Boven,  Frank Pvt. 

♦Brachman,  Benjamin Pvt. 

tBurke,  Edward  F Pvt. 

♦Burnham,  Fred  A Pvt. 


tBurns,  John  E PFC. 

♦Busso,  Joseph  N Pvt. 

♦Callaghan,  Anthony Sgt. 

♦Campbell,  Willard  M Cpl. 

♦Carper,  Arthur  R Pvt. 

♦Cason,  George  W Pvt. 

♦Chase,  Orley  P Pvt. 

♦Clark,  Clyde Pvt. 

♦Coleman,  James  J Pvt. 

♦Condon,  Thomas  E PFC. 

♦Corrigan,  Fritts  D Pvt. 

♦Davidson,  George  L Cpl. 

§Dean,  Clifford  Franklin Pvt. 

♦Dyer,  Francis  E Pvt. 

♦Ecklund,  Elmer  J PFC. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


323 


28th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY   "L"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Erick.son,  Harry  W Pvt. 

*Fey,  Carl Pvt. 

§Fisch,  Frank  J .Pvt. 

*Flora,  Ralph  R Cpl. 

tGinter,  John  B Pvt. 

fOIaskey,  William Pvt. 

*Haburn,  Chester Pvt. 

*HaU,  Roy  L Pvt. 

*Hank,s,  Charles Sgt. 

§Hart,  Roy  S Pvt. 

*Herring,  Garner  M Cpl. 

*Hiekey,  Lee  L PFC. 

tHoff,  Rudolph  O Cpl. 

♦Holland,  Lilburn Pvt. 

*Ivy,  Edward Pvt. 

*Jackson,  Adam  W Pvt. 

*Jurach,  Anton  L PFC. 

*Kalsensky,  Tony Pvt. 

tKarhoff,  William  H Pvt. 

*Keller,  ^^'e.sley  N PFC. 

*Klein,  Harry Sgt. 

fKoplin,  Walter Pvt. 

fKowalski,  Mike Pvt. 

tLaBarre,  Arthur Pvt. 

*McInturff,  Charles  H Pvt. 

*McQueary,  John  S Pvt. 

tMoKee,  John  C Pvt. 

*Marks,  Clyde Pvt. 

*Matusiewicz,  Maron PFC. 

fMitcheU,  WilUam  W Pvt. 

*Morgan,  Howard Pvt. 

§Netemeyer,  John  H Pvt. 

*Nienhouse,  Henry Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

*Roark,  Price Sgt. 

*Ryan,  Keron  J Sgt. 

tSaucier,  Abner Cpl. 

*Schmidt,  Frank  J Pvt. 

*Schmidt,  G Pvt. 

*Schoville,  William  W Pvt. 

*Shelton,  Rufus  A Cpl. 

*Simmons,  Charles  R Cpl. 

*Skureth,  John  J Pvt. 

*Spidel,  Howard  Leroy Pvt. 

*Spinninken,  Edward  H Bug. 

*Sprangers,  Michael Pvt. 

*Stewart,  Thomas Pvt. 

fStrayhan,  Clark  Hughes Pvt. 

*Suhr,  Fred Pvt. 

*Sullivan,  Grover Pvt. 

*Sundstrom,  Hedley Pvt. 

*Talhre,  Edward  D Pvt. 

*Tichnell,  Truman  Ehnore PFC. 

*Vahos,  Tony Pvt. 

*Van  Den  Brock,  Martin Pvt. 

*Van  Dyke,  Fred Pvt 

*Van  Linn,  Peter Pvt. 

*Verbeten,  Peter Pvt. 

*Vogelgesang,  Karl  W Pvt. 

*Welker,  Harry  E Pvt. 

tWilcox,  RusseU Pvt. 

nVoods,  Robert  A Pvt. 

fWren,  Dozier Pvt. 

fYawn,  William Pvt. 

fYbarzabal,  Gus  A Pvt 

§Ziemkowski,  Joseph Pvt. 


COMPANY   "M' 


fManning,  John  S Capt. 

*Hurlbert,  Paul  C 2d  Lt. 

*Purdy,  Robert  O.,  Jr 2d  Lt. 

*Andrzejewski,  Vincent Pvt. 

fBaker,  Emery  L Pvt. 

tBaker,  James  T Pvt. 

*Barnes,  John  Shrewsbury Pvt. 

*Bennicker,  Charles  Nicholas Pvt. 

IIBishop,  Robert  G Pvt. 

*Blomgren,  Nels  A Sgt. 

§Bloodough,  Joe Pvt. 

*Boner,  Henry  R Pvt. 

*BrayfieId,  Ottis  A Cpl. 


*Breisch,  Walter  H.  T Pvt. 

*Bridenhagen,  Arthur  F Pvt. 

*Burdick,  Ralph  L Pvt. 

*Butler,  John  L Pvt. 

*Caskey,  James Pvt. 

♦Chambers,  William  A Cpl. 

*Cohron,  Emary  C Pvt. 

*Conkling,  NeilL Pvt. 

♦Conner,  Frank  Ray Pvt. 

llCrotty,  Wilham Pvt. 

♦Culbertson,  John  H PFC. 

♦Davidoff,  Bernard Pvt. 

♦Davidson,  Halsey  B PFC. 


;i24 


HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


28th    infantry    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "M"    (Contd.) 


Name  Rank 

*Dean,  Emery Pvt. 

*Deal,  James  H Pvt. 

*Despain,  Harry Cpl. 

tDroddy,  Herbert  L Cpl. 

*Duvall,  Earl Pvt. 

tEdwards,  Carl  T Pvt. 

tElstum,  Eugene  Welstun Pvt. 

tFaiazzi,  Domenick Pvt. 

*Farrow,  Joseph  Climment Pvt. 

*Ford,  Donald  I Pvt. 

♦French,  Charles Pvt. 

*Frey,  William Pvt. 

*Garner,  Roy Pvt. 

*Gillie,  PhiUp Pvt. 

fGray,  Edward  Wallace Cpl. 

*Gustafson,  Axel  J PFC. 

*Hansen,  Harry  C Pvt. 

*Harder,  Daniel Pvt. 

tHart,  Joseph  M Cpl. 

*Heeb,  Henry  N Cpl. 

*Holtman,  Walter  W Pvt. 

*Hoover,  Isaac PFC. 

tJones,  Bennie  A Cpl. 

tKnox,  Samuel  P Pvt. 

*Knut.son,  Leonard  A Pvt. 

*Koppa,  Joseph  H Pvt. 

*Kothenbentel,  George  F Pvt. 

*Krak,  Joe Pvt. 

*Lar.scn,  Thomas  H Pvt. 

*Lintz,  Noble  C Pvt. 

*Lorbecki,  Joseph Pvt. 

*McKcan,  Bateman Pvt. 

*McVey,  Jo.seph Pvt. 

♦Matthew,  Frank  R Pvt. 

*Medeires,  Frank  L Sgt. 

♦Mittelstctter,  Ervin  P Pvt. 

♦Moorman,  Louis  W Pvt. 

♦Morlcy,  John  H Pvt. 

♦Murchland,  Everett Pvt. 


Name  Rank 

fNorstrum,  Oliver  E Pvt. 

IINotturno,  Giacinto Pvt. 

♦O'Connor,  Martin. Pvt. 

♦O'Rourkc,  Arthur  P Pvt. 

§Osbourne,  Ernest  W Pvt. 

♦Peterson,  Herbert  A Pvt. 

llPierey,  Robert,  Jr Pvt. 

♦Poettering,  Edward Pvt. 

♦Pound,  Robert  D Pvt. 

llPugliese,  Pasquale Pvt. 

♦Rabun,  Ransom Sgt. 

♦Ray,  Fornie Pvt. 

♦Rhodes,  Wirt Pvt. 

♦SaviU,  A\'illiam  C Pvt. 

♦Schmaal,  Arthur Cpl. 

♦Seitz,  Walter Cpl. 

♦Simp.son,  Walter  S Pvt. 

♦Smith,  Jacob Pvt. 

♦Smith,  Sigmond Sgt. 

♦Sohneke,  Carl  R Sgt. 

♦Soles,  Council Pvt. 

♦Steinmetz,  Lewis  A Pvt. 

♦Stonecipher,  Maniph  E 1st  Sgt. 

♦Strieker,  Boyd  E Pvt. 

♦ToutloiT,  James  F Pvt. 

♦Wajeciechawski,  Stanislaus Pvt. 

♦Walby,  Alfred  B Pvt. 

♦Walker,  Henry  W Pvt. 

t\\'arren,  John Pvt. 

♦Webster,  John  B Pvt. 

fWertz,  Claude  L Pvt. 

♦Williams,  Albert  A Pvt. 

♦Williams,  Ray  Lee Pvt. 

♦Wilhmott,  Dudley  V Pvt. 

♦Wingate,  Richard  Harwood Pvt. 

tWithers,  Travis Sgt. 

♦Wright,  Theodore  Ephraim Pvt. 

♦Wyers,  Richard Pvt. 


3d  machine  gun  battalion 

FIELD   AND   STAFF 

♦Sutton,  Wiley  C 2d  Lt. 

HEADQUARTERS  COMPANY 
♦Coleman,  Ruphus  E Pvt. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


325 


3d  machine  gun  battalion  (Contd.) 
MEDICAL   DETACHMENT 


Name  Rank 

*Engemann,  Carl  C Pvt. 


COMPANY 


Name  Rank 

*Blair,  Lonnie  0 Pvt. 

*Burke,  Frank Sgt. 

*Conolly,  Michael Pvt. 

♦Feiszli,  George  H PFC. 

fHalverson,  Harold Pvt. 

*Hainilton,  Victor Cpl. 

*Kilroy,  Orville PFC. 

♦McMillan,  Bruce PFC. 

*Milewski,  Tedor PFC. 


Name  Rank 

*Nichols,  Howard Bug. 

*Peterson,  Axel  G Pvt. 

*Ra.snick,  Jame.s  H Pvt. 

*Schernerord,  Clinton  M Pvt. 

*Sooter,  Noble  C Pvt. 

*Southard,  Daniel  E Pvt. 

*Spraberry,  George  M Pvt. 

*\Vaters,  David Pvt. 

tWolfe,  Maurice Pvt. 


COMPANY   "B' 


*Deaver,  Charles  Leon 1st  Lt. 

*Cooper,  James  Aubrey 2d  Lt. 

*Brent,  Ray PFC. 

*Calhoun,  Grover  W Pvt. 

*Dobias,  John Cpl. 

fDubreuil,  Louis Pvt. 

*Foster,  Otto Sgt. 

§Gainey,  Walker  A Cpl. 

fGerakios,  John Pvt. 

fHaylum,  Glen PFC. 

*Martin,  Edward Sgt. 


fMurphy,  William  Hugh PFC. 

§Orwick,  Amos  E Pvt. 

*Parks,  Morris  L Cpl. 

*Peicher,  Paul Pvt. 

§Purviance,  Ernest  B Pvt. 

*Tomlinson,  Clyde Pvt. 

*Tomm,  Adolph Pvt. 

fShirley,  Sam Pvt. 

*Star,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Waldrop,  George  W Pvt. 

*Williams,  Cecil  T Pvt. 


COMPANY 


fAdcox,  S>Tus  P Pvt. 

*AugU!3tine,  Joseph  A PFC. 

*Blevins,  Grover  S Pvt. 

||Brammer,  Greely  C Pvt. 

*Branham,  Turner PFC. 

*BrasweU,  Carradine  B Cpl. 

*Brendler,  David Pvt. 

liButcher,  Albert Pvt. 

§Cermak,  Joe Sgt. 

*Cozzie,  Victor  A PFC. 

*Dobbs,  D.avid  H PFC. 

*Frank,  Oscar  C Pvt. 

*Grba,  Mike Pvt. 

*Haffner,  Richard,  Jr Pvt. 

*Inman,  Samuel  J Cpl. 

*Jendrosak,  Steve Pvt. 

♦Johnson,  Harold  H PFC. 

t Jones,  Frederick  George PFC. 

*Kaprivica,  George PFC. 

tKinney,  Frank  J Pvt. 


fKoutsky,  Jerry  J Cpl. 

§Krolikow.ski,  Frank PFC. 

*Letonkigis,  Cristos Pvt. 

*McClure,  Melvin  C Pvt. 

tMay,  Ray  L Pvt. 

*Meeks,  Luther  M PFC. 

tOien,  Carl  J Pvt. 

♦O'Neill,  Cornelius ' Pvt. 

♦Pearson,  Dillard PFC. 

fRhodes,  Henry PFC. 

♦RiddeU,  William  H PFC. 

♦Smith,  Emmett  C Pvt. 

♦Smith,  Frank  Hershal Pvt. 

♦Steuber,  Henry  W PFC. 

♦Thompson,  Marion  D PFC. 

♦Toland,  Jabe  H PFC. 

♦Wesp,  Franklin  P PFC. 

tWhalen,  Thomas  J Pvt. 

♦WiUiams,  Charles  F PFC. 


326  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

3d  machine  gun  battalion    (Contd.) 
COMPANY  "D" 

Name  Rank       Name  Rank 

*Mackcy,  Robert  A 2d  Lt.      *MUitello,  Joseph  A Pvt. 

*Mooie,  John  H 2d  Lt.      *Miller,  John  C PFC. 

*Ailvcn,  George  E Sgt.      fPayne,  Wortham  J. . , Sgt. 

tBaleiiger,  Joseph  G PFC.      *Phelan,  John  J Pvt. 

*Bartehne,  Henry  A Pvt.      *Plizza,  Joe Pvt. 

*Blanton,  Jesse Pvt.      *Price,  Theodore Mech. 

*Button,  George Pvt.      *Reick,  George Pvt. 

♦Carter,  Clarence  L Pvt.      *Roberts,  Alfred  H Cpl. 

♦Gallagher,  Joseph  R PFC.      *Sehewer,  Albert  J PFC. 

♦Hansen,  John  E Pvt.      ♦Sereysky,  Mayer Pvt. 

♦Hutchins,  George  D Pvt.      ♦Shook,  WiUiam  R Pvt. 

tHuxford,  Harley  C Pvf .      ♦Silverman,  Joseph Pvt. 

fJester,  Albert  H Pvt.      *Smith,  Charles  L Sgt. 

♦Kahn.  Julius  A Pvt.      ♦Troncy,  Noel Pvt. 

♦Landry,  Lazard  L Pvt.      ♦Ventimiglia,  Casper  E Pvt. 

♦Langford,  Neal Pvt.      *Wittekind,  Basil  G Pvt. 

♦McClain,  Eurna Pvt. 

1st  artillery  brigade 

HEADQUARTERS   BATTERY 

§Cole,  Elmer  E Pvt.       §Gable,  Harvey  M Sgt. 

§Dietrich,  Howard  W Cpl.       §^^'hite,  WilUam  T PFC. 

5th  field  artillery 

HEADQUARTERS   BATTERY 

§Sprinkle,  James PFC.       §Yost,  Charles  J Cpl. 

§Vaugh,  Gordon Pvt. 

SUPPLY   BATTERY 

♦Campbell,  Chick  M Wag.       fLyons,  James  M Wag. 

♦Heinrich,  Bernard Wag. 

ORDNANCE   DETACHMENT 

♦Thompson,  Knox  F Pvt. 

MEDICAL   DETACHMENT 

tKlein,  Harry Pvt.       fSchooling,  Finis  E Pvt. 

♦Sancken,  Jacob Sgt. 

BATTERY    "A" 

♦Boekenoogen,  Judson  L Pvt.  fMcMahen,  Thomas Pvt. 

♦Brozinsky,  Joseph Pvt.  ♦Mattos,  Joseph  S PFC. 

tGage,  Robert Pvt.  fNebergall,  Cleo Pvt. 

♦Hobbs,  Russell  L PFC.  fOgle,  Samuel  A PFC. 

♦Long,  George  E PFC.  tPage,  John  W Pvt. 


THE  HONOR   ROLL  327 

5th  field  artillery   (Contd.) 

BATTERY   "A"   (Contd.) 

Name  Rank  Name  Rank 

*Phares,  Louis  S Pvt.  fSimpson,  Robert  S Sgt. 

*Pontelich,  Nick Cook  fStokeley,  Leslie PFC. 

fSimpson,  Clyde  A Pvt.  *Wood,  Austin  H PFC. 

BATTERY    "B" 

♦Barber,  Mike Pvt.      *Keaehie,  Edwin  S Cpl. 

*Greenor,  Minor Pvt.      fMichalec,  Gustave Pvt. 

*Harvey,  Scott  W PFC. 

BATTERY   "C" 

§Pendley,  Charles Capt.  fUrban,  Bruno Pvt. 

§Dick,  Franklin  A Pvt.  §Vaughan,  Roland  L Pvt. 

tSimons,  Abraham  D Pvt.  §Von  Alt,  Herbert  Wm Pvt. 

tTaylor,  Verliu  W Cpl.  *Weathennan,  Hugh PFC. 

BATTERY    "D" 

§Campbell,  Rush  O Cpl.  *Mattes,  Gustav Pvt. 

*Franco,  Domenico Pvt.  fRoan,  Clarence  P PFC. 

*Konopek,  Frank  J Pvt.  fSkrobicki,  .Joseph  J Pvt. 

fKopanskie,  Fred Pvt.  *Stover,  William Pvt. 

BATTERY   "E" 

fHalley,  W.  E Cpl.       *Rowland,  Willie  L Pvt. 

*Hart,  Joe Pvt.      fWalda,  Clinton  C Pvt. 

BATTERY   "F" 

§Conklin,  Charles  W Pvt.  *Rismiller,  Charles Pvt. 

§Dukes,  James  G Pvt.  §Rogers,  Earl  R Pvt. 

§Franch,  Nick Pvt.  §Schak,  Henry  R Pvt. 

fKelley,  Charlie  Ross Pvt.  fStewart,  Bina  C PFC. 

*MiUer,  Harry  L Pvt. 

6th  field  artillery 

FIELD  AND   STAFF 

*Austin,  Raymond  B Maj.      fJunkin,  William  G 2d  Lt. 

tBeal,  Howard  W Maj.       "Parrish,  Roy  E 2d  Lt. 

§Hites,  Edwin 2d  Lt. 

HEADQUARTERS  BATTERY 

§McNett,  Charles  C Pvt.       §Trombly,  Emil Sgt. 

§Moberg,  Carl  E Pvt.      §Upson,  Robert  M Cpl. 

SUPPLY   BATTERY 
§Brymer,  Earney Pvt. 


;J28  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

6th  FIELD  ARTILLERY   (Contd.) 

BATTERY    "A" 

Name  Rank  Name  Hank 

*Donkakis,  Elias  A Cpl.  *KoeniK,  Edward  J Pvt. 

♦DouRlas,  Miles Cpl.  fOlkosky,  Alexander Pvt. 

§Ooodford,  John Pvt.  fVolInier,  Hanson  L Sgt. 

*KeUy,  Edward  V Pvt. 

BATTERY    "B" 

§Anderson,  John  G Pvt.  §MiIam,  Jay  N Pvt. 

fCerio,  Charles  L Pvt.  *Norris,  John Pvt. 

tMaxwell,  James Pvt.  *0'IIara,  Xeville  B Pvt. 

*May,  Martin  J Pvt.  *llrbaniak,  Joseph Sgt. 

BATTERY    "C" 

*Jessup,  \^'illiam  H 2d  Lt.  *Rookey,  Everett  L Pvt. 

fBaker,  Frank  Austin Pvt.  §Scott,  Lawrence Pvt. 

tBirkett,  George  R PFC.  §Shield.s,  Thomas Pvt. 

*Cowgill,  Clarence  James PFC.  §Smith,  Ben Pvt. 

*EweIl,  Lee  Roy Pvt.  *Taylor,  Harold  A Pvt. 

*Henry,  Joseph  E Cpl.  *Thaycr,  Charles  D Pvt. 

*Kaiser,  Clayton  B Cpl.  *Vance,  Jefferson Pvt. 

fMackin,  Louis  J Cpl.  *Warsoski,  John  F Pvt. 

*Muellman,  Jcseph Pvt.  tWynn,  Albert  H Cpl. 

fRedman,  Harold  J Sgt. 

BATTERY    "D" 

*Jones,  Herbert  J 2d  Lt.      *Leach,  Alfred  W PFC. 

fBaldwin,  Bernie  F PFC.      §Lee,  Charles  H PFC. 

fBeaver,  Herbert Cpl.      fMartin,  Orville  F Cpl. 

§Dipietro,  Costanzo Pvt.      *Sangenitto,  P>ank PFC. 

♦Evenbye,  Olaf PFC.      §ScyiTiansky,  Martin Pvt. 

§Feuling,  Leonard  V Cpl.      §Shelton,  A\illiam  S Pvt. 

♦Franklin,  Joseph  Warren Pvt.       §Tylka,  Andrew Sgt. 

iHeffernan,  Joseph Pvt.       fAN'alczyk,  Frank Pvt. 

BATTERY    "E" 

*Ro.se,  Philip  L 1st  Lt.      *McMunn,  Claetus  H Cpl. 

*Ahner,  Frank Sgt.      fMusser,  John  M Pvt. 

fDanko,  Albert  B Pvt.      *Negro,  Oasmo ,  .Pvt. 

tHernon,  Edward  F Pvt.      *Pflasterer,  Oscar PFC. 

fHickey,  David Pvt.      *Smith,  Harry  O Pvt. 

•j-Lash,  Vhomas Pvt.      *Spotts,  Clifford  Chase Pvt 

*Lietzan,  Jo.seph  S Pvt .      * Vallely ,  Francis  P PFC. 

*Long&haw,  John  P Pvt. 

BATTERY    "F" 

♦Arnold,  Earl Pvt.       fGottieb,  Jop  W Sgt- 

tBergmark,  Harold  F Cpl.       fHelm,  Julius Pvt. 

*Cannon,  George Pvt.       §Lechel,  Edward Pvt . 


THE  HONOR  ROLL  329 

6th  field  artillery   (Contd.) 

BATTERY   "F"   (Contd.) 

Name  Rank  Name  Rank 

tOtto,  John Pvt.  tShoebridge,  Clayton  J Cpl. 

tSager,  Roy Pvt.  *Stine,  Joseph Pvt. 

fSchrader,  John  M Pvt.  fYoung,  William PFC. 

7th  field  artillery 

FIKLD   AND   STAFF 

tCrittenden,  Charles  G 2d  Lt. 

HEADQUARTERS   COMPANY 

*Garn,sey,  Cyrus 2d  Lt.  §McArthur,  Erwin  A Wag. 

*Annunziata,  Alfred Pvt.  *Maciejcwski,  John  P Pvt. 

♦Bailey,  Thomas  L Pvt.  fPerkins,  Emraett  D PFC. 

*Beranek,  Charles Cpl.  *Saltman,  Abraham Pvt. 

tBills,  Anthony Pvt.  *Scorse,  James  H Cpl. 

*Burnham,  Arthur  Ralph PFC.  fTopa,  Paul  W Cpl. 

*Dampeer,  Julius Pvt.  §Wanamaker,  Mervin  A Wag. 

*Doney,  John  P PFC.  *Zihala,  Joseph  A Pvt. 

§Gagliardi,  Oresta Pvt.  *Zore,  Joseph Pvt. 

*Henry,  Lanson Cpl. 

SUPPLY   COMPANY 

§Barnoaky,  Chester Wag.       §Frazier,  .Jesse  T Wag. 

§Davidson,  Harold Wag.       fGipson,  Ben  H Wag. 

MEDICAL   DETACHMENT 

*Bishop,  Ray  M PFC.      *Gregg,  Donald Pvt. 

♦DreibeUis,  Harry  O Pvt.      *Sturdevant,  Charles  C PFC. 

♦Greaves,  John  C PFC. 

BATTERY   "A" 

fBurford,  Wiley  Haralson 2d  Lt.  §Hirshman,  Irving Pvt. 

§Becen,  Herman Pvt.  *Miller,  Raymond  D Cpl. 

§Bitzer,  Robert  E Cpl.  *Mundt,  George  A Pvt. 

*Blar,  Herbert  E Cook  *01denski,  Louis Pvt. 

*Buchner,  George  E Pvt.  *Rothrock,  Lionel  B Cpl. 

tDeLee,  James  E Sgt.  *White,  Malcolm  R Pvt. 

•Duty,  Raleigh Pvt. 

BATTERY  "B" 

*Adens,  James PFC.       jRestaino,  Alfred Cpl. 

*Cartland,  William  H Sgt.      tShumaker,  Wilbur  L Cpl. 

fHooper,  Walter  G Pvt.      §Suszy nski,  Walter  C Bug. 

*Jasset,  Ernest  L Pvt.      §Ward,  Percy  J Pvt. 

t Jones,  WilHe  J Pvt.       §Weisler,  Henry Pvt. 

♦Patrick,  Allen Pvt.       tZimmerman,  John Pvt. 


:W0  HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 

7th  field  artillery  (Contd.) 

BATTERY  "C" 

Name  Rank  Name  Rank 

fBradford,  William  McKinley Pvt.  *Mattingly,  William  L Pvt. 

§Callio,  Seymour PFC.  §Nelson,  Hilhin;;:  V Sgt. 

fCenteni,  Anthony Pvt.  *Palsgrove,  Frank  W Pvt. 

fClausc,  Paul  R Sgt.  *Schrader,  Anthony  J Cpl. 

*Knauf,  Carl  L Cpl.  f'^^inioni,  Louis Pvt. 

*Krauss,  Clarence  E PFC.  *Svveidpn,  Sidney Pvt. 

*Lanahan,  Vincent  N Sgt.  §Tangredi,  Carlo Pvt. 

♦McCully,  Thaddcus Pvt. 

BATTERY   "D" 

♦Cameron,  Douglas  T 1st  Lt.  *Ehrie,  Howard  S Pvt. 

*Brown,  Hilton  U.,  Jr 2d  Lt.  §Grant,  Harry  J Pvt. 

*Chandler,  William  H 2d  Lt.  *Grass,  Richard Pvt. 

*Adams,  Irving  W Pvt.  fKlingelhofer,  Howard  L Pvt. 

*Baldwin,  George Pvt.  *Louden,  John  J Pvt. 

♦Barrett,  William  H Pvt.  *Lookabill,  Fred  C Pvt. 

♦Barrows,  Martin  M PFC.  ♦McN alley,  William  J.  Farrier Pvt. 

♦Campbell,  Leon  E Pvt.  ♦Skelly,  Frank Pvt. 

fClark,  Herbert Pvt.  *Taylor,  William  Francies  Forbes.  .  .  .Sgt. 

BATTERY  "E" 

♦McConnell,  Frank,  Jr 2d  Lt.  fMiracle,  Joseph  A Pvt. 

♦Brogan,  William Pvt.  ♦Morton,  Joseph  J Pvt. 

♦Guartha,  Charles  J Cpl.  ♦Oldenski,  Louis Pvt. 

♦Ivosevich,  Mirke Pvt.  *0'Neil,  Mark  L Cpl. 

♦Jenkins,  Louis Pvt.  §Pugh,  David  J Pvt. 

fMessina,  Cicero Pvt. 

BATTERY   "F" 

♦Feigel,  .Jefferson 2d  Lt.       ♦Perry,  Clifford  L Pvt. 

♦Campbell,  .Joe  M Cook      ♦Webb,  Frank  S Cpl. 

♦Luther,  Joseph  W Pvt.      fWilsey,  Charles  D Pvt. 

1st  trench  mortar  battery 

♦Aitkens,  George  F Pvt.  ♦Murray,  William  K Sgt. 

♦English,  Clarence  B PFC.  fNclson,  Marshall  B Pvt. 

fCialloway,  George  E Pvt.  *Ratcliffe,  Thomas  V Pvt. 

tllanscn,  Herman Mech.  fSchumacher,  Joseph  A Pvt. 

♦Keating,  Edward  J Sgt.  *Wonderly,  Frank  R PFC. 

♦Murray,  Frank  A Pvt.  tYoung,  John  M Pvt. 

1st  machine  gun  battalion 

HEADQUARTERS   COMPANY 

♦Beyer,  Lowell Pvt.       fFink,  Dewey  W Wag. 

fCorcoran,  Daniel  J Pvt.       ♦Greene,  Samuel  B Wag. 


THE   HONOR  ROLL  331 

1st  machine  (iUN  BATTALION   (Contd.) 

MEDICAL   DETACHMENT 

Name                                                                  Rank        Name                                                                  Rank 
♦Ratzlaff,  George Pvt.      *Shelton,  Martin  L Pvt. 

COMPANY   "A" 

*Boyer,  Herbert Capt.  *Gawlett,  Ross Pvt. 

♦Hubbard,  Eugene  P 2d  Lt.  *Geldan,  Charles  Sigfred Pvt. 

♦Abbott,  Thomas  H PFC.  §Guthrie,  William  A Pvt. 

*Beck,  Leonard  William Pvt.  *Humphrey,  Jack Pvt. 

fBrowning,  Ben  F Sgt.  *Kales,  Gust Pvt. 

♦Connell,  Carl  J Pvt.  *Kopot,  Toney Pvt. 

♦Cosgrove,  James  J Mech.  *Kumpulame,  Valeryum Pvt. 

*Czyze.ski,  John PFC.  fMcDermit,  John  B Pvt. 

*Devine,  George PFC.  *Manohester,  Clifford  R Cpl. 

*Dotz,  Herman Pvtr.  *Meece,  Lee Sgt. 

§Forbes,  Mack  L Mech.  *Noyd,  Ray  A Pvt. 

♦Forrester,  John  W Pvt.  ♦Possebon,  Constante Pvt. 

♦Foster,  George  Hilton Pvt.  ♦Roberti,  Gino Pvt. 

♦Frost,  Elvin  A Pvt.  ♦Rosen,  Benjamin PFC. 

§Gayheart,  Tip Pvt.  ♦Trego,  Lawrence  J Sgt. 

COMPANY   "B" 

§Barman,  Glenn  M Pvt.  §Smith,  Albert  E Wag. 

fElieff,  Daniel Pvt.  fSmith,  James  H Pvt. 

fGarrett,  Earl Cpl.  *Wallen,  James  Logan Pvt. 

*Hill,  Headley PFC.  nVard,  Joseph  F PFC. 

tPaulson,  Philip  M Pvt.  *Zebrowsky,  Stanley Pvt. 

♦Rong,  Nick Pvt. 

COMPANY  "C" 
♦Barrows,  Ezra Pvt.       ♦Dilley,  Joseph  W Pvt. 

COMPANY  "D" 
*McIntosh,  South Sgt.       fPeterson,  John  M Pvt 

2d  field  signal  BATTALION 

COMPANY  "A" 
§Smith,  Charles  T PFC. 

COMPANY  "B" 
♦Cosselin,  Alexander Sgt.       ♦Hawk,  Walter  W PFC. 

COMPANY   "C" 

fBlythin,  Edward  E Sgt.  1st  CI.  fGlickman,  Henry Cpl. 

♦Burns,  Kenneth  K Sgt.  ♦Hackett,  Fred  Ellery Pvt. 

♦Byrne,  Robert  L Cpl.  fHadfield,  Joseph  Edward PFC. 

fDoyle,  Arthur  L PFC.  §Hale,  Gas  C Sgt.  1st  CI. 


332  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

2d  field  signal  BATTALION    (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "C     (Contd.) 

Name  Rank        Name  Rank 

tlvens,  John  W PFC.      'Sullivan,  Cecil  R Cpl. 

tLinton,  Charles  L Pvt.      *Thoinas,  Clyde Cpl. 

♦Lodden,  Adolph  R PFC.      fThomas,  Morri.s  H PFC. 

*Ludinghou,se,  Lester  R PFC.      *Van  Fo.s.sen,  U'illiam  Miller Pvt. 

tNudd,  Ben Pvt.      §\Veek.s,  Verne  D PFC. 

tShone,  Harry  H Cpl.      fZimnier,  George  W PFC. 

'Stephenson,  Claude  A Sgt.  1st  CI. 

HEADQUARTERS  TRAIN,  1st  DIVISION 

1st  and  2d  military  POLICE  COMPANIES 

§Auckerman,  Clarence  A PFC.  *Maklo,  Michael Pvt. 

§Compton,  Robert  F PFC.  *Murphy,  John  B Cpl. 

§Huszar,  Anthony  L Pvt.  *Palmer,  Edward  R Sgt. 

§Jardine,  Archie  T Pvt.  §Sam.s,  Carl Sdlr. 

fLeach,  Roy  D PFC.  fSchulkin,  David Pvt. 

§Lowery,  Edward Cpl.  §Spratt,  Grover  K PFC. 

AMMUNITION  TRAIN 

FIELD   AND   STAFF 

§Tomlinson,  Edward  G 1st  Lt. 

HEADQUARTERS   COMPANY 

§Belsner,  Fred Pvt.      *Sima,  Rudolph Pvt. 

§Hodges,  George  Dewey PFC.       fStankiewich,  Stephen Cook 

MEDICAL   DETACHMENT 
*Cook,  Arthur  S Pvt. 

1st  MOBILE  VETERINARY  SECTION 
§Cady,  Leslie  Charles Pvt. 

COMPANY    "A" 

'Campbell,  Glen  H Pvt.  §Murphy,  Leo  D Pvt. 

§Drake,  Francis  J Pvt.  fNolfi,  Roger  J Pvt. 

tllaimen,  Adam Pvt.  §Sevey,  Charles  Paul Wag. 

§Moore,  Homer Pvt. 

COMPANY  "B" 

'Garrett,  Alexander  P Pvt.      fPettis,  Elijah  F Sgt. 

fHughes,  Eugene  M Cpl.       §Shea,  James Pvt. 

§McClusky,  Byron  V Pvt. 


THE   HONOR  ROLL  333 

AMMUNITION   TRAIN   (Contd.) 
COMPANY    "C" 

Name  Rank        Name  Rank 

fCody,  George Pvt.       fOliszwski,  William  J Pvt. 

§Hendricks,  John Pvt.       §Rosenberg,  Louis Pvt. 

fMcDonald,  Jacob Wag. 

COMPANY  "D" 
§Sponsky,  Bernard  M PFC.       §White,  John  E Pvt 

COMPANY  "E" 
fBaker,  John  A Pvt.       §Zerby,  Aleck  B Pvt. 

COMPANY  "F" 
tWidener,  William  G Cpl. 

COMPANY  "G" 
tCivis,  Frank Wag.       §Johnson,  John Pvt 

1st  supply  train 

COMPANY'    "A" 

§Brattvet,  Ole  S Pvt.       §Green,  Melvin PFC. 

§Buell,  Charles  J.,  Jr Cpl.       §Hart,  Lawrence  A Cpl. 

§Gass,  Charles  E Cpl.       §Wensel,  Verley PFC. 

COMPANY    "D" 

§Curtright,  Russell  E Pvt.       §Macy,  Wiley  Jefferson PFC. 

tKellogg,  F-ed  Dewit PFC. 

COMPANY  "E" 
§Anderson,  Daniel  F Cpl. 

COMPANY  "F" 
§Robertson,  Ralph  E Sgt. 

1st  engineers 

FIELD  AND   STAFF 

§Lampert,  James  G.  B Lt.  Col.       §Bertman,  Myron Capt. 

§Kimble,  Edwin  Richard.son Maj.       §Preston,  Archibald  E Capt. 

*Wills,  John  Howard Maj. 

HEADQUARTERS   COMPANY 

♦Perkins,  Bryon  k Pvt,       fWray,  Royal  M Sgt. 

§Ryan,  John  H Pvt. 

TRAIN 

§Swanson,  James  W Wag. 


334 


HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


1st  engineers   (Contd.) 
MEDICAL   DETACHMEXT 


Name  Rank 

§ChurchiU,  Vemon  KendaU PFC. 


Name 

♦Dollard,  William  B. 


Rank 

PFC. 


COMPANY    "A" 


*Hanf,  Frank  S 2d  Lt. 

tAucr,  Walter PFC. 

♦Ballard,  Blackburn  W Cpl. 

tBond,  Pearley  J Pvt. 

fBrown,  Exlward  J Cpl. 

*Colyer,  Wilbur  E Sgt. 

*Coughlin,  Michael  J Pvt. 

tDalrymple,  Theron  E Sgt.  1st  CI. 

*Day,  RuelW Pvt. 

*Elwell,  Donald Pvt. 

tGreif zu,  William  C Cpl. 


*Haremza,  Leo Pvt. 

*Harper,  Richard  J.  S PFC. 

§Hartford,  Cecil  A Pvt. 

fHokanson,  John Pvt. 

*Law,  Lawrence  C Pvt. 

§MarshaIl,  Leroy  F Sgt. 

§Martin,  Thomas  P Pvt. 

fPeters,  John  Joe Pvt. 

*Phenning,  William  A PFC. 

tSohubert,  Joseph H.S. 


COMPANY   "B" 


*Bcach,  Egbert  W 2d  Lt. 

*Aukerman,  OUver  F PFC. 

tBergvist,  Seth  J Pvt. 

tBlaszak,  Walter PFC. 

fBroughton,  William Pvt. 

fBush,  Harry Cpl. 

*Creh,  Edward  C Pvt. 

*Eryavich,  Jo.seph  F Pvt. 

'Frost,  Jay  C PFC. 

*Geist,  Harry  I Cpl. 

*Green,  Elroy Pvt. 

*Hon,  PaulL Sgt. 

tHornly,  William  H PFC. 


*lvell,  Harry  B Cpl. 

*Koon,  Carter  R PFC. 

fMcDevipp,  John  A Pvt. 

fMihaljevich,  Adam Pvt. 

*Rivers,  Clarence Cpl. 

*Robinson,  Harry  G.,  Jr Pvt. 

*Sehramkowski,  John  A Pvt. 

*Sisak,  Casper  T Pvt. 

♦Stephens,  Clare  S Pvt. 

*Tracy,  James  F Sgt. 

tWilson,  Earnest  A Pvt. 

♦Wilson,  Harry  M CpL 


COMPANY    "C 


*Bourland,  William  F Capt. 

*Buckwaltor,  Harri.s  D Capt. 

•Trowbridge,  Carl  B 1st  Lt. 

*Blake,  James  A Pvt. 

tBland,  William  H Sgt. 

§{"a.ssels,  Gcoige  H Pvt. 

*Clark,  Gailcy PFC. 

tCurtis,  Rufus  C Sgt.  1st  CI. 

tDaly,  WilUam  T Pvt. 

*Davie,  Harold  A PFC. 

♦Frodsham,  Frank Pvt. 

•Gallagher,  John  M Cpl. 

tHarman,  William  L Cpl. 


•HiUiard,  Bert  A Pvt. 

*Kiah,  Martin  J Cpl. 

*Kodis,  John Pvt. 

fKupp,  Clarence  L Sgt. 

tMiller,  Bryan Pvt. 

*Pearce,  Zeno PFC. 

•Perry,  Bailey  H Pvt. 

•Raoskowski,  John Pvt. 

•Reardon,  Stephen Pvt. 

tRolls,  Guy  Ellis Pvt. 

•Sherman,  Charles PFC. 

•Stephane,  Dometrius Sgt. 


COMPANY   "D' 


•Crawford,  Boyd  S 1st  Lt. 

•Jones,  Hamlet  P 1st  Lt. 


•Kendall,  Oliver  J 1st  Lt. 

♦Davidson,  John  M PFC. 


THE  HONOR  ROLL  335 

1st  engineers    (Contd.) 

COMPANY    "D'     (Contd.) 

Name                                                                  Rank  Name                                                                  Rank 

*Loftis,  William  R Pvt.       fRoss,  George  W Pvt. 

*MacDougall,  Albert PFC.      *Steinman,  Charles  L Pvt. 

*Miller,  Daniel  S PFC.      *Thoete,  Carl  G Sgt. 

♦  Patterison,  Beaenx PFC.      *Walsh,  Martin Pvt. 

*Patterson,  James  H Pvt. 

COMPANY   "E" 

fBraskin,  Julius Cpl.  *Hogarth,  Francis  W Cpl. 

§Collins,  John Sgt.  *Odis,  WilUam Pvt. 

*Cormier,  Clifford Cpl.  *Pallatta,  Fred Pvt. 

*Cronk,  Ceylon  G Sgt.  1st  CI.  *Springer,  Frank Pvt. 

§Flannery,  Edward  J PFC.  *Yeomans,  Daniel  S Wag. 

COMPANY   "F" 

tBatchelder,  Raymond Pvt.  fHall,  William  B Pvt. 

*Broshanso,  Harry Pvt.  *Higby,  Francis Pvt. 

*Burns,  Michael  F Pvt.  *Slater,  John  E Cpl. 

*Clark,  Joseph Pvt.  §Tracy ,  James  A Pvt. 

*CottrelI,  Jesse  J Pvt.  fWaller,  Albert  H PFC. 

♦Garrison,  George  E Pvt.  *Weldon,  James  W Cpl. 

*Gourley,  William  T Pvt. 

1st  sanitary  train 

HEADQUARTERS   DETACHMENT 
tTolford,  Van  R Pvt. 

AMBULANCE  COMPANY  No.  2 

*Burrows,  Melvin Pvt.  *Packard,  William Pvt. 

fCurry,  Crawford  M Cpl.  §Stone,  Charley  A Pvt. 

*Dolan,  Bernard  J PFC.  fVarney,  Armand  Frederick Pvt. 

§Luckett,  William  C Pvt.  jWindsor,  Ernest  R Pvt. 

AMBULANCE   COMPANY   No.  3 

fCrane,  Harry  L Wag.  fSmith,  Roy  Wayland Cook 

*Graham,  Mount Pvt.  *Stoepler,  John  W PFC. 

*Hoover,  Floyd  C Cook  *Thomas,  Daniel  W Pvt. 

§McNamara,  Michael  J PFC.  fWherry,  John  W.,  Jr Wag. 

tSharpe,  Fred  William Pvt.  tWilkes,  Milton Cook 

AMBULANCE   COMPANY   No.  12 

♦Griffith,  Oscar  C PFC.      *Mike.ska,  John PFC. 

*Holler,  Harry PFC.      *Showers,  Guy  W PFC. 

*Jones,  Aubry  C Cpl. 


336  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

1st  sanitary  train    (Coiitd.) 
AMBULANCE   COMPANY   No.  13 

Name  Rank        Name  Rank 

*Albreeht,  Charles  W PFC.  *Smith,  Joe  W Pvt. 

*Hoy,  Harley Pvt.  tStrou.so,  W.  L Wag. 

§Jones,  Earl  M Cpl.  fVaiitrain,  .Alexander  E PFC. 

fKauppi,  Timothy Pvt.  fWalker,  Bert  H. .. Cpl. 

§Law,  Flavel  E Pvt.  *White,  Thomas  A Pvt. 

§Sisters,  EarlC PFC. 

FIELD   HOSPITAL   No.  2 
*Miillinix,  Ora  A PFC. 

FIELD   HOSPITAL   No.  3 
§Potter,  I^eonard  W Cook 

FIELD   HOSPITAL   No.  12 

§Gayden,  Hugh  D 1st  Lt.       ^Sanders   William  J Pvt. 

§()'Kell,  Elmo  E Sgt.  1st  CI. 

FIELD   HOSPITAL   No.  13 
§Willson,  Arthur  E Wag.       §Young,  Cdenn PFC. 

BAKERY  AND  LAUNDRY  UNITS 
BAKERY   COMPANY 
§Dorn,  James Sgt.       §Parkcr,  Mack  L PFC. 

LAUNDRY   No.  316 

*Rafhow,  Harrison  F Pvt.       *Wall,  George  E Pvt. 

♦Thomas,  Earl  A Pvt. 

RECAPITULATION 
Officers  Men 

Killed 154  Killed 3,588 

Died  of  Wounds 50  Died  of  Wounds 1,172 

Wounded 463  Wounded 16,395 

Missing   0  Mis.sing 170 

Prisoners   0  Prisoners 124 

Died  of  Disease  14  Died  of  Disease 414 


Total 681  21,863 

Total  Battle  Deaths:  " 

Total   Diatlis,  other  causes  Officers  Officers  204 


and  men 428 


Men 4,760 


Total 4,964 

Total  Deaths  in  the  Division 5,516 

Note:  The  above  includes  prisoners,   as  all   the  records  show   all  pri.soners  as 

prisoner  died. 

,„  ,  ,  li-  ..1     11    ■  ■         I  Officers  681 

Total  casualties  in  the  Division        ,. 

[  Men 21,987 


Total  22,668 


THE  HONOR  ROLL 


337 


LIST  OF  CASUALTIES,  FIRST  DIVISION,  U.  S.  ARMY 
WORLD  WAR,  1917-1918 

SOMMERVILLER 

Killed     Died  of  Wounds    Wounded     Missing     Prisoners 

Officers 0                      0  0              0                   0 

Men 32                      4  35               0                   0 

ANSAUVILLE 

Officers 5                      1  18              0                   0 

Men 109                   28  381              0                11 

CANTIGNY 

Officers 45                    11  84              0                  0 

Men 701                  257  3,614              6                 5 

SAIZERAIS 

Officers 0                      2  10                  0 

Men 5                     9  31              0                 0 

SOISSONS 

Officers 60                    16  155              0                  0 

Men 1,299                  338  5,378           94                36 

ST.  MIHIEL 

Officers 2                      0  10              0                  0 

Men 65                   27  411              5                  5 

MEU.SE-ARGONNE 

Officers 42                    16  176              0                  0 

Men 1,189                  410  5,746             59                 33 

MOUZON 

Officers 0                     0  5              0                  0 

Men 48                     5  222              0                  4 

SEDAN 

Officers 0                      2  7              0                   0 

Men 53                    22  404              4                 15 

SECTOR  UNKNOW'N 

Officers 0                     2  7              0                  0 

Men 87                    72  173               2                 15 


PART  III 

COMMENDATIONS  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 


COMMENDATIONS  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 


A  TRIBUTE  TO  THE  FIRST  AMERICANS  KILLED  ON  THE  SOIL 

OF   FRANCE 

November  3,  1917 
The  death  of  this  humble  corporal  and  these  privates  appeals  to  us 
with  unwonted  grandeur.  We  will,  therefore,  ask  that  the  mortal  remains 
of  these  young  men  be  left  here,  be  left  to  us  forever.  We  v/ill  inscribe  on 
their  tombs,  "Here  lie  the  first  soldiers  of  the  United  States  to  fall  on  the 
fields  of  France  for  justice  and  liberty."  The  passer-by  will  stop  and 
uncover  his  head.  The  travelers  of  France,  of  the  Allied  countries,  of 
America,  the  men  of  heart,  who  will  come  to  visit  our  battlefields  of  Lor- 
raine, will  go  out  of  their  way  to  come  here  to  bring  to  these  graves  the 
tribute  of  their  respect  and  gratitude.  Corporal  Gresham,  Private  Enright 
and  Private  Hay,  in  the  name  of  France,  I  thank  you. 

General  Bordeaux. 


"COURAGE,   DASH,   AND  VICTORY  IS  FIRST  DIVISION'S 

RECORD" 

Story  of  American  Regulars  who  led  the  way  to  France  and  whose 
casualties  of  all  kinds  reached  2.3,974,  including  715  officers. 

By  Major  General  A.  W.  Greeley 
(United  States  Army,  Retired) 

There  is  no  Division  of  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  that  has 
failed  to  display  in  the  face  of  the  enemy  the  qualities  of  courage,  discipline 
and  efficiency  which  are  acknowledged  attributes  of  the  American  Army. 
It  is  natural  and  commendable  that  war  correspondents  and  local  news- 
papers should  loudly  proclaim  the  achievements  of  the  military  organiza- 
tions identified  with  and  formed  in  their  own  communities.  It  would  be 
an  injustice  to  the  rank  and  file  of  our  citizen  soldiery  if  their  own  sections 
failed  to  display  pride  especially  in  the  combat  divisions.  Thus  New 
England  honors  the  26th  Division,  New  York  the  27th  and  77th,  Pennsyl- 
vania the  28th,  Michigan  and  Wisconsin  the  32d,  Kansas  and  Missouri 
the  35th,  Ohio  the  37th,  and  the  Pacific  States  the  91st,  to  mention  those 
of  greater  losses. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind,  however,  that  certain  organizations  are 
entitled  to  general  recognition  for  their  soldierly  merits  as  they  present 
to  the  world,  by  the  men  of  their  ranks,  a  thoroughly  homogeneous  Army, 
gathered  from  all  sections  and  all  races,  of  our  composite  nation.    These 

( 341 ) 


342  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

are  the  troops  of  tlie  so-called  Regular  Army,  whose  ranks  are  filled,  almost 
to  a  man,  by  volunteers,  for  sei'vico  only  in  the  fcrcat  war.  It  is  not  generally 
known  that  the  war  casualties  of  these  organizations — battle  and  disease — 
have  depleted  their  ranks  from  25  to  100  per  cent  of  their  original  personnel. 
These  vast  gaps  have  been  filled  by  draft  from  the  replacement  divisions 
of  selected  men,  thus  making  the  Regulars  truly  national  organizations. 

That  the  public  may  ajjpreciate  the  fibre  and  metal  of  these  repre- 
sentative troops  formed  In'  such  a  national  consolidation  it  appears  desir- 
able and  of  timely  interest  that  the  achievements  of  a  typical  Regular 
Division  should  be  briefly  if  somewhat  inadequately  described.  For  this 
purpose  the  First  Division  is  selected,  not  that  its  bravery  is  superior,  its 
discipline  better  or  its  morale  higher  than  marked  the  others,  but,  it  was 
the  first  division  to  reach  France,  first  to  serve  in  trench  warfare,  first  to 
fire  a  hostile  shell,  first  to  lo.se  a  man,  first  to  capture  a  prisoner,  first 
to  repel  a  German  raid,  first  to  man  any  independent  sector,  and  first  to 
capture  a  town  (Cantigny)  and  hold  it  against  all  counter-attacks. — 
Extract  from  New  York  Times  of  February  9,  1919. 


SOMERVILLER  SECTOR 
The  First  Division  entered  the  Somerviller  Sector  in  Lorraine  between 
October  21  and  November  20,  1917. 

Battalions  of  Infantry  and  Artillery  were  grouped  with  corresponding 
units  of  the  18th  French  Division  for  instruction  in  the  methods  of  occupy- 
ing and  holding  a  sector. 

It  so  happened  that  the  2d  Battalion  of  the  16th  Infantry  was  raided 
by  the  enemy  the  first  night  of  its  entry  into  the  sector.  During  this  raid 
the  Division  sustained  its  first  casualties. 

During  the  occupation  of  this  sector  the  total  casualties  amounted  to : 
Killed — 13  men; 
Wounded — 1  officer,  18  men; 
Prisoners — 11  men; 
Total — 1  officer,  42  men. 


General  Order  Headquarters  First  Division, 

No.  67  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  November  23,  1917. 
1 .  The  troops  of  the  First  Division  have  completed  their  first  tour  of 
duty  at  the  front.  The  casualties  have  been  few  as  was  expected  in  a  quiet 
sector;  fourteen  killed,  thirty-four  wounded  and  eleven  captured  by  the 
enemy.  But  the  many  discomforts,  inconveniences  and  trials  alwaj^s  inci- 
dent to  service  at  the  front  have  heon  faced  in  a  fine,  uncomplaining 
spirit  which  speaks  well  for  the  soldierly  qualities  of  the  men.    The  Divi- 


COMMENDATIONS  343 

sion  Commander  wishes  to  congratulate  the  soldiers  of  the  Division  upon 
their  excellent  conduct  and  cheerful  demeanor  during  the  past  month  at 
the  front  and  particularly  during  the  long,  hard  weeks  of  preliminary  train- 
ing in  the  cold  and  mud.  He  believes  there  are  few  occasions  in  the  past 
where  American  soldiers  have  worked  as  hard  and  have  endured  as  cheer- 
fully so  many  discomforts  and  difficulties  as  have  the  men  of  this  Division 
since  landing  in  France. 

2.  We  are  now  starting  on  the  final  period  of  training.  Weather  con- 
ditions will  make  it  a  peculiarly  hard  antl  trying  one.  The  Division 
Commander  feels  that  he  can  depend  on  every  individual  soldier  to  meet 
this  situation  with  the  same  fortitude  and  resolution  that  he  has  heretofore 
displayed  and  to  do  his  utmost  to  bring  to  a  successful  and  speedy  conclu- 
sion the  preparation  of  this  command  to  take  its  place,  as  a  unit,  in  the 
first  line  in  a  manner  to  reflect  credit  and  honor  upon  our  country. 

Wm.  L.  Sibert, 
Major  General,  U.  S.  A.,  Commanding. 


ANSAUVILLE  SECTOR 
The  First  Division  relieved  the  First  Moroccan  Division  on  January 
15,  1918,  in  the  Ansauville  Sector,  north  of  Toul.    This  sector  covered  a 
front  of  seven  and  a  half  kilometers. 

A  raid  was  made  by  the  enemy  against  the  Third  Battalion  of  the  18th 
Infantry  on  March  1,  1918.  On  March  11th  the  Division  made  two  raids 
against  the  enemy. 

The  Division  was  relieved  between  April  3  and  5,  1918,  by  the  26th 
American  Division. 

During  its  tour  in  the  Ansauville  Sector  the  Division  captured  ten 
prisoners. 

Its  casualties  amounted  to : 

Killed — 6  officers,  103  men; 
Wounded — 31  officers,  398  men; 
Missing — 1  officer,  3  men; 
Total— 38  oflScers,  504  men. 


1st  Army.  Headquarters,  March  2,  1918. 

32d  Army  Corps. 
Staff 
3d  Bureau. 
1030/3 

General  Order  No.  119 
On  the  1st  of  March,  at  daybreak,  the  enemy  pulverized  the  first-line 
trenches  and  dug-outs  occupied  by  the  right  of  the  18th  American  Regiment 


■M4  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

with  a  heavy  fire  of  minnenwerfcrs  and  210's.  They  then  attacked  in  0 
columns  under  the  protection  of  a  rolling  barrage. 

All  instructions  which  had  been  given  had  been  faithfully  carried  out. 
The  Americans  withdrew  to  the  edge  of  the  zone  under  fire — then  delivered 
a  strong  counter-attack. 

The  Boche  realized  the  force  of  the  American  blow;  he  retreated  to 
his  position,  leaving  on  the  spot  15  dead  (of  which  2  were  officers)  and  4 
prisoners. 

The  troops  of  the  32d  Army  Corps,  proud  to  be  fighting  by  the  side 
of  the  generous  Sons  of  the  Great  Rcpulilic  who  have  hastened  to  support 
France  and  with  her  to  save  the  freedom  of  the  world,  will  understand  by 
this  example  of  superb  courage  and  coolness  the  full  meaning  of  the  promises 
made  Ijy  the  entry  into  the  conflict  of  their  new  brothers-in-arms. 

The  general  commanding  the  32d  Army  Corps  heartily  congratulates 
the  First  American  Division  and  in  particular  the  3d  Battalion  of  the  18th 
Infantry  as  well  as  the  American  Artillery  whose  precise  and  opportune 
action  contributed  to  the  success. 

Passaga, 
The  General  Commanding  the  32d  Army  Corps. 


Headquarters,  First  Divi.sion, 
American  E.xpcditionary  Forces. 
France,  March  11,  1918. 

From:      Division  Commander. 

To:  General  C.  P.  Summerall,  Commanding  1st  Artillery  Brigade. 

Subject:  Action  of  Artillery  Brigade  in  Remieres  and  Richecourt  Raids, 
March  11,  1918. 

I  wish  to  express  to  you  and  to  the  officers  and  men  of  your  command 
my  appreciation  of  the  efficiency  of  your  work  in  the  raids  just  completed. 

The  accuracy  and  effectiveness  of  the  fire  of  your  guns  has  enabled  the 
raiding  detachments  to  perform  their  missions  without  interference  by  the 
enemy  and  without  the  loss  of  a  man,  and  has  undovibtedly  inflicted  heavy 
losses  on  the  enemy  in  addition  to  destroying  his  fortifications.  The 
Infantry  has  been  inspired  with  a  great  confidence  by  the  assurance  of 
instant  and  effective  support  by  the  artillery. 

Please  communicate  my  congratulations  to  your  command. 

[Signed]:  Robert  L.  Bull.'Vhd, 
Major  General,  N.  A. 


COMMENDATIONS  345 

Armee  Au  Q.F.,  21  Mars  1918. 

2d  Corps  D'Armee  Coloniale. 

10th  Division  Coloniale.  Le  General  de  Division,  Marchand. 
Secteur  Postal  167.  Commandant  la  10th  Division 

3d  Bureau.  Coloniale. 

Commanding  General  of  the  First  Division: 

General  Marchand,  Commandant  of  the  10th  D.I.C.  very  warmly 
thanks  the  Artillery  of  the  First  Division,  American  E.F.  for  the  help  that 
it  gave  on  the  morning  of  March  20th  against  the  raid  launched  by  the 
enemy  east  of  Apremont. 

The  American  Artillery  opened  its  fire  with  a  rapidity  that  is  worthy 
of  praise  and  which  is  proof  of  its  vigilance  anrl  a  warrant  of  its  excellent 
training  and  instruction. 

A  few  days  ago  our  artillery  had  the  honor  and  pride  to  work  for  the 
First  Division.  Yesterday  the  American  Artillery  honored  us  with  its 
work.  The  voice  of  our  guns,  American  and  French,  has  sealed  in  both 
ways  the  pact  of  union  and  confidence  that  is  in  all  of  our  Allies'  and 
soldiers'  hearts. 

[Signed]:  Marchand. 


32^  Corps  d'Arm^e 

fitat-Major.  Q.G.  le  4  Avril,  1918. 


3''  Bureau. 


Ordre  G6ngral  No.  123 


Au  moment  ou  la  1'"  Division  Americaine  part  pour  la  bataille,  les 
officiers,  sous-officiers  et  les  soldats  du  32®  Corps  d'Armee  saluent  les  freres 
d'Armes  dont  ils  ont  admire  le  bravoure. 

lis  les  felicitent  d'avoir  a  ecrire  dans  la  bataille  des  Nations  la  premiere 
page  de  I'Histoire  des  fils  de  la  grande  Republique  venant  hitter  sur  le 
sol  de  France  pour  le  triomphe  de  la  Liberte. 
Cette  page  sera  glorieuse. 

(Signe):  Passaga. 
Le  General  Commandant  le  32*  C.A. 


32®  Corps  d'Armee. 

Etat-Major.  Q.G.,  le  4  Avril,  1918. 


3®  Bureau. 


Ordre  General  No.  123 


As  the  First  American  Division  leaves  for  battle,  the  officers,  non- 
commissioned officers  and  soldiers  of  the  32d  Army  Corps  salute  their 
brothers  in  arms,  whose  bravery  they  have  admired. 


IMG  HISTORY  OF  THE  FHIST  DIVISION 

They  congratulate  them  on  being  privileged  to  write  in  the  battle  of 
Nations,  the  first  page  in  the  history  of  the  sons  of  the  great  Republic 
coming  to  fight  on  the  soil  of  France  for  the  triumph  of  Liberty. 
This  page  will  be  glorious. 

[Signed]:  Passaga, 

Commanding  General 
32d  Army  Corps. 


General  Orders  Headquarters  First  Division, 

No.  16  American  Expeditionary  Forces. 

France,  April  2,  1918. 

1.  The  Commanding  General  of  the  32d  French  Army  Corps  has 
expressed  in  orders  his  approbation  of  the  conduct  of  the  Division  while 
in  this  sector. 

2.  The  character  of  the  service  which  the  Division  is  now  about  to 
undertake,  however,  demands  enforcement  of  a  stricter  discipline  and  the 
maintenance  of  a  higher  standard  of  efficiency  than  any  heretofore  required 
of  us. 

3.  From  now  on  troops  of  this  command  will  be  held  at  all  times  to 
the  strictest  observation  of  that  rigid  discipline,  in  camp  and  upon  the 
march,  which  is  essential  to  their  maximum  efficiency  on  the  day  of  battle. 

4.  This  order  will  be  read  by  all  organization  conmianders  to  the  men 
of  their  commands. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Bullard. 
Campbell  King, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


MONTDIDIER 

(Cantigny  Sector) 

The  First  Division  occupied  a  .sector  five  kilometers  south  of  Mont- 
didier  from  April  25,  1918,  to  July  8,  1918. 

The  first  American  offensive  was  made  by  the  Division  against 
Cantigny. 

Casualties  in  this  sector  amounted  to: 

Killed — 58  officers,  983  men; 
Wounded — 178  officers,  4578  men; 
Prisoners — 2  men; 
Missing — 2  officers,  30  men; 
.  Total— 238  officers,  5593  men. 


COMMENDATIONS  347 

CANTIGNY 

Memorandum  Headquarters  First  Division, 

No.  80  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  June  2,  1918. 

The  recent  operations  taken  against  Cantigny  and  the  immediate 
hostile  reaction  therefrom  may  be  considered  as  now  conchided.  Future 
activity  which  may  develop  in  that  direction  will  initiate  a  new  phase. 
The  German  attack  in  front  of  this  Division  upon  the  day  preceding  the 
beginning  of  the  Cantigny  operation  is  so  closely  allied  with  that  operation 
and  the  preparation  thereto  that  it  may  be  considered  as  one  of  the  inci- 
dents therewith. 

The  Division  Commander  desires  at  this  time  to  pul^lish  to  the  officers 
and  men  of  this  command  his  appreciation  of  the  gallantry  and  steadiness 
of  the  troops  who  took  part  in  these  affairs,  either  as  direct  participants  or 
in  support  thereof. 

The  moral  effects,  to  flow  from  this  proof  of  reliability  in  battle  of  the 
American  soldiers,  far  outweighs  the  direct  military  importance  of  the 
actions  themselves. 

The  Division  Commander  is  glad  to  feel  that  the  conduct  of  the  officers 
and  men  of  the  Division  on  these  two  occasions  justifies  the  high  standard 
that  our  people  expect  of  the  American  soldiers  who  are  destined  to  take 
part  in  this  great  struggle. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Bullard. 
Campbell  King, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


Memorandum  Headquarters  First  Division, 

No.  84  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  June  3,  1918. 

The  following  letter  from  the  Corps  Commander  is  published  for  the 
information  of  all  concerned : 

"The  Corps  Commander  desires  to  express  his  gratification  over  the 
recent  successful  operations  of  the  First  Division  and  to  congratulate 
your  officers  and  soldiers  for  their  ability  to  uphold  the  best  traditions  of 
the  Army  of  the  United  States.  Their  intrepidity  and  spirit  augur  well  for 
the  successful  accomplishment  of  the  mission  of  the  A.E.F." 

By  command  of  Major  General  Bullard. 

H.  K.  LOUGHRY, 

Major,  F.A.,  Division  Adjutant. 


348  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

G-3  '  Headquarters  First  Division, 

535  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  June  13,  1918. 
From ;      Commanding  General. 
To:  Commander-in-Chief,  A.E.F. 

Subject:  Commendation  of  organizations  participating  in  Cantigny  Opera- 
tion. 

1.  On  the  morning  of  May  28th,  the  28th  Infantry  moved  forward  and 
captured  the  village  of  Cantigny  and  establishcfl  its  new  lines  well  beyond 
the  town.  From  noon  of  that  day  until  72  hours  later  it  withstood  a  seiies 
of  enemy  counter-attacks  and  a  violent  bombardment  by  enemy  artillery 
of  heavy  caliber.  Heave  losses  were  suffered,  as  high  as  50  per  cent  in  some 
organizations. 

The  2d  and  3d  Battalions,  I8th  Infantry,  supported  the  attack  by 
sending  companies  into  Cantigny  through  heavy  barrage  fire  to  carry  up 
ammunition  and  water;  and  took  over  portions  of  the  captured  line, 
relieving  companies  of  the  28th  Infantry  which  had  suffered  most  heavily. 
These  troops  sustained  heavy  losses. 

The  1st  Bn.,  26th  Infantry,  which  held  the  front  south  and  adjacent 
to  the  28th  Infantry  repulsed  two  counter-attacks  and  endured  a  violent 
artillery  bombardment,  including  gas,  throughout  the  operations,  suffering 
heavy  losses. 

Co.  D,  1st  Regiment  of  Engineers,  participated  with  the  28th  Infantry 
in  the  attack  and  subsequent  holding  of  the  line  and  sustained  heavy  losses. 

2.  All  the  foregoing  organizations  displayed  a  gallant  spirit  and  a 
capacity  for  enduring,  unflinchingly,  heavy  losses  which  command  our 
highest  admiration  and  aro;ue  well  for  future  success  of  the  American  Army. 

Therefore  I  recommend  that  the 

28th  Infantiy 

2d  Battalion,  18th  Infantry 

3d  Battalion,  18th  Infantry 

1st  Battalion,  26th  Infantry 

Co.  D,  1st  Regiment  of  Engineers 
be  accorded  suitable  official  recognition  for  the  honorable  part  they  bore 
in  the  capture  of  Cantigny. 

R.    L.    BULLARD, 

Major  General,  N.  A. 


General  Order  Headquarters,  First  Division, 

No.  24.  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  June  3,  1918. 
The  following  has  lieen  received  t)y  the  Division  Commander  from 
the  Commander-in-Chief  and  is  pulilished  for  the  information  of  all  con- 
cerned : 


COMMENDATIONS  349 

"Please  accept  my  hearty  congratulations  upon  the  marked  success  of 
the  attack  made  by  yoiu-  Division  this  niorning  upon  Cantigny.  Extend 
to  all  concerned  my  warm  appreciation  of  the  splendid  spirit  displayed  and 
the  well-ordered  fashion  in  which  the  details  of  the  plan  were  carried  out. 
This  engagement,  though  relatively  small,  marks  a  distinct  step  forward 
in  American  participation  in  the  war. 

"With  sincere  regards,  I  remain, 
"Very  cordially  yours, 
"John  J.  Pershing." 
By  command  of  Major  General  Bullard. 

H.  K.  LOUGHRY, 

Major,  F.  A.,  Division  Adjutant. 


The  following  orders  and  commendations  relate  to  the  work  of  the 
Division  in  the  Cantigny  Sector: 
6^  Corps  d'Armee. 

fitat-Major.  Au  G.Q.,  Ic  20  Avril  1918. 

No.  3543/1. 

Ordre  General  No.  32 

Par  ordre  du  General  commandant  Ic  V^  Armee  en  date  du  19  avril 
courant,  la  1^*  D.  I.  U.  S.  est  rattachee  au  6"^  Corps  a  partir  de  demain  21 
avril. 

Le  6''  Corps  est  particulierement  fier  d'accuellir  a  ses  cotes  devant 
I'ennemi,  les  troupes  de  la  noble  Nation  Americaine,  et  il  leur  souhaite  une 
cordiale  bienvenue. 

L'union  intime  des  efforts  dans  la  grande  lutte  que  nous  soutenons 
pour  la  liberte  du  Monde  est  le  meilleur  gage  de  la  Victoire. 

Au  moment  ou  la  1""®  D.  I.  U.  S.  va  entrer  en  ligne,  je  salue  ses  dra- 
peaux,  qui  viennent  se  deployer  sur  la  terre  de  France. 

General  Duport. 


6^^  Corps  d'Armee 

fitat-Major  Au  il  G.  le  20  Avril,  1918. 

No.  3543/1. 

Ordre  General  No.  32. 
By  an  order  of  the  Commanding  General  of  the  First  Army,  dated 
19  April,  1918,  the  First  American  Division  is  attached  to  the  6th  Corps, 
commencing  tomorrow  21  April. 

The  6th  Corps  is  particularly  happy  to  have  beside  it  in  the  face  of 
the  enemy,  the  troops  of  the  noble  American  nation,  and  wishes  them  a 
cordial  welcome. 

In  the  intimate  unity  of  our  efforts  in  the  great  struggle  which  we  are 
carrying  on  for  the  freedom  of  the  world,  lies  our  Ijcst  chance  for  Victory. 


350  HISTORY   OF  THE  FIRST   DIVISION 

As  the  First  American  Division  is  entering  the  lines,  I  salute  its  ban- 
ners, which  are  unfurled  on  the  soil  of  France. 

General  Duport. 


10th  Army  Corps.  July  4,  1918. 

No.  818  C. 

General  Order. 

The  General,  Officers  and  Men  of  the  First  Division: 

Tomorrow  the  first  elements  of  your  Division  will  depart  from  the 
area  of  the  10th  Army  Corps.    In  four  days  you  will  have  left  us. 

I  am  still  deeply  impressed  by  the  celetjration  of  your  "Independence 
Day"  and  by  the  magnificent  show  I  witnessed  this  morning  in  reviewing 
one  of  your  battalions  and  saluting  the  Star  Spangled  Banner.  I  wish  to 
express  to  you  the  regret  that  I  and  all  the  officers  and  men  of  the  10th 
Army  Corps  feel  at  seeing  you  leave  this  sector  where  you  have  shed  your 
generous  blood  and  earned  your  first  success. 

In  this  sector  the  French  soldiers  are  called  "The  Men  of  Grivesnes, " 
and  you.  Sons  of  America,  we  are  happy  to  call  "The  Men  of  Cantigny." 

General,  Officers  and  Men  of  the  First  Division: 

In  bidding  you  farewell  I  wish  you  the  glorious  fortune  which  your 
gallantry  deserves.  As  war  may  bring  us  together  again,  I  do  not  say, 
"Adieu,"  but  "Au  revoir." 

General  Vanderburg, 
Commanding  the  10th  Army  Corps. 


AMERICAN  EXPEDITIONARY   FORCES 
General  Order  France,  July  9,  1918. 

No.  112. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  de.sires  to  record  in  the  General  Orders  of 
the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  his  appreciation  of  the  splendid 
courage,  service  and  sacrifice  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  First  Division 
and  the  Second  Division  of  these  Forces  during  the  recent  operations  in 
which  time  these  divisions  participated  and  in  which  the  enemy  was  checked 
by  the  resolute  defense  and  counter-offense  of  the  Allied  Armies. 

These  divisions,  submitted  fully  for  the  first  time  to  all  the  drastic 
tests  of  modern  warfare,  bore  themselves  always  with  fine  valor;  their 
co-operation  with  the  brothers-in-arms  of  the  unified  command  was  prompt 
and  efficient  and  brought  from  their  Allied  comrades  many  expressions  of 
sincere  appreciation. 

The  conduct  of  these  brave  men  and  tliat  of  their  fallen  comrades 
who  made  the  supreme  sacrifice  have  established  a  standard  of  service  and 
prestige  which  every  division  of  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces 
will  strive  to  emulate  and  preserve. 


COMMENDATIONS  351 

This  order  will  be  read  to  all  organizations  at  the  first  assembly  for- 
mation after  its  receipt. 

By  Command  of  General  Pershing. 
OfRcial:  James  W.  McAndrew, 

Robert  C.  Davis,  Chief  of  Staff. 

Adjutant  General. 


SOISSONS   OFFENSIVE 

The  First  Division,  shoulder  to  shoulder  with  our  Second  Division, 
the  First  Moroccan  Division  and  the  153d  D.  I.  French,  attacked  the  enemy 
south  of  Soissons  from  July  18  to  23,  1918.  The  operations  were  conducted 
under  the  20th  French  Army  Corps  of  the  10th  French  Army. 

In  the  five  days  of  fierce  fighting  we  advanced  1 1  kilometers,  capturing 
125  officers,  3375  men,  75:  77-mm.  and  150-mm.  guns,  300  machine  guns, 
2500  rifles,  50  mortars  and  large  quantities  of  small  arms  and  ammunition. 
Our  losses  were : 

Killed — 78  officers,  1548  men; 
Wounded — 214  officers.  6130  men; 
Prisoners — 5  men; 
Missing — 390  men; 
Total— 292  officers,  8073  men. 
The  Division  was  relieved  by  the  15th  (Scottish)  Division. 


Headquarters,  Third  Army  Corps, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France,  July  21,  1918. 

From:      Adjutant,  3d  Corps. 

To:  Commanding  General,  1st  Division. 

Subject:  Visit  of  the  Commander-in-Chief. 

1.  At  the  close  of  the  third  day  of  heavy  fighting  our  Commander-in- 
Chief  came  yesterday  to  visit  the  3d  Corps  to  manifest  his  intense  interest 
and  pride  in  the  achievements  of  the  First  and  Second  Divisions.  He 
directed  me  to  assure  the  officers  and  men  of  these  Divisions  of  his  admira- 
tion for  their  soldierly  qualities  and  excellent  spirit,  and  his  confidence  that 
through  the  efforts  of  .such  troops  the  defeat  of  the  enemy  is  certain. 

2.  Publish  these  expressions  of  the  Commander-in-Chief  to  the  officers 
and  men  of  your  Division. 

By  Command  of  Major  General  Bullard. 

H.  K.  LOUGHRY, 

Major,  F.A.,  N.A.,  Adjutant. 


352  HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST.  DIVISION 

General  Order  •  Headciuarters,  Third  Army  Corps, 

No.  9.  Aiiicrican  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  July  23,  1918. 

On  the  morning  of  July  18th,  after  forty-eight  hours  of  exhausting, 
continuous,  almost  sleepless  movement,  the  3d  Army  Corps  joined  battle 
with  the  enemy.  In  your  great  offensive  you  stood  beside  the  best  Veteran 
French  Troops,  our  Allies,  and  sustained,  nay,  did  honor  to  the  name 
American.  Our  Allies,  your  commanders,  the  Army  of  the  United  States 
and  the  whole  nation  are  jiroud  and  will  boast  of  your  deeds  and  the  deeds 
of  those  Ijrave  men,  our  beloved  comrades,  who  at  your  side  in  the  last 
five  days  have  fallen  paying  the  last  sacrifice  of  soldiers.  Now  and  for  the 
future  let  us  resolve  that  those  our  Allies  and  our  people  shall  not  trust  in 
us  in  vain  and,  in  the  words  of  Lincoln,  "That  these  our  comrades  shall 
not  have  died  in  vain." 

By  command  of  Major  General  Bullard . 
A.  W.  Bjorxstad, 
Brigadier  General,  G.S.,  Chief  of  Staff. 


The  following  orders  and  commendations  relate  to  the  work  of  the 
Division  in  this  battle: 

To  General  Officer  Commanding  July  24,  1918. 

First  American  Division. 

I  would  like,  on  behalf  of  all  ranks  of  the  15th  (Scottish)  Division,  to 
express  to  you  personally,  to  your  staff,  and  to  all  our  comrades  in  your 
splendid  Division  our  most  sincere  thanks  for  all  that  has  been  done  to 
help  us  in  a  difficult  .situation. 

During  many  instances  of  "taking  over"  which  we  have  experienced 
in  the  war,  we  have  never  received  such  assistance,  and  that  rendered  on 
the  most  generous  scale. 

In  spite  of  its  magnificent  success  in  the  recent  fighting,  the  First 
American  Division  must  have  been  feeling  the  strain  of  the  operations 
accentuated  by  heavy  casualties,  yet,  we  could  discern  no  symptoms  of 
fatigue  when  it  came  to  a  question  of  adding  to  it  by  making  our  task  easier. 

To  your  Artillery  Commander  (Colonel  Holbrook)  and  his  staff  and 
to  the  units  under  his  command,  our  special  thanks  are  due.  Without 
hesitation  when  you  saw  our  awkward  predicament  as  regards  artillery 
support,  the  guns  of  your  Division  denied  themselves  relief  in  order  to  assist 
us  in  an  attack.  This  attack  was  only  partly  successful,  but  the  artillery 
support  was  entirely  so. 

Without  the  help  of  Colonel  Mabee  and  his  establishment  of  ambu- 
lance cars  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  at  least  400  of  our  wounded 
would  still  be  on  our  hands  in  this  area. 


COMMENDATIONS  353 

The  15th  (Scottish)  Division  desires  me  to  say  that  our  hope  is  that 
we  may  have  opportunity  of  rendering  some  slight  return  to  the  First 
American  Division  for  all  the  latter  has  done  for  us,  and  further  that  we 
may  yet  find  ourselves  shoulder  to  shoulder  defeating  the  enemy  in  what 
we  may  hope  is  the  final  stage  of  the  war. 

H.  L.  Reed, 
Major  General, 
Commanding,  15th  (Scottish)  Division. 


General  Order  Headquarters,  First  Division, 

No.  38.  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  July  25,  1918. 

The  Commanding  General  wishes  to  express  to  the  officers  and  soldiers 
of  this  Division  his  pride  in  their  splendid  achievements  during  the  opera- 
tions of  July  18th-23d.  Your  magnificent  courage  and  unfaltering  fortitude 
have  not  only  won  for  you  individually  the  admiration  of  the  Allied  Armies, 
but  have  written  a  glorious  page  in  the  history  of  that  great  country  which 
you  represent. 

For  five  long  days  you  have  maintained  a  bitter  struggle  in  one  of  the 
world's  greatest  battles  and  pushed  forward  in  the  face  of  the  enemy's 
most  determined  resistance.  You  would  not  be  denied  and  you  have 
reached  the  ultimate  objective  assigned  to  you  in  the  battle.  You  have 
captured  for  your  own  share  in  the  fruits  of  the  victory,  3500  prisoners  and 
66  cannon.  No  such  brilliant  success  can  be  obtained  without  losses,  but 
the  injury  you  have  inflicted  upon  the  enemy  is  many  times  greater,  and 
today  your  spirit  is  unshaken,  your  courage  high,  and  you  are,  even  now, 
ready  to  repeat  the  lesson  you  have  taught  the  enemy. 

The  Commanding  General  is  proud  to  command  such  a  Division  and 
he  expresses  to  you  again  the  deep  gratitude  he  feels  for  the  splendid  sol- 
dierly qualities  you  have  so  gloriously  proven  in  the  unquestioned  crucible 
of  the  battlefield. 

This  order  will  be  read  to  all  organizations  at  the  first  assembly  for- 
mation after  its  receipt. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall, 
Campbell  King, 

Chief  of  Staff. 

A  NOTE  FROM  THE  BATTLEFIELD 

25/7/18. 
My  Dear  General: 

I  have  written  a  short  official  memorandum  to  you,  to  endeavor  to 
express  our  united  thanks  for  all  you  have  done  for  us. 


;ir>4  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Wc  arc  sittiiif!;  dowii  licio.  Bocho  getting  vciy  much  on  tlie  fight. 
There  are  many  of  your  poor  fellows  about  and  I  have  given  orders  that 
they  are  all  to  be  reverently  and  carefully  buried  by  our  men  wherever 
they  are  found  in  or  out  of  our  area.  We  will  send  you  identity  discs  if  we 
find  any.  Hope  you  are  having  some  rest. 
Believe  me, 

Yours  sincerely, 

H.  L.  Reed. 


G.H.Q. 
AMERICAN   EXPEDITIONARY   FORCES 

General  Order.  France,  August  28,  1918. 

No.  143. 

It  fills  me  with  pride  to  record  in  General  Orders  a  tribute  to  the  service 
and  achievements  of  the  First  and  Third  Corps,  comprising  the  1st,  2d, 
3d,  4th,  26th,  28th,  32d  and  42d  Divisions  of  the  American  Expeditionary 
Forces. 

You  came  to  the  battlefield  at  the  crucial  hour  of  the  Allied  cause.  For 
almost  four  years  the  most  formidable  army  the  world  has  as  yet  seen  has 
pressed  its  invasion  of  France,  and  stood  threatening  its  capital.  At  no 
time  had  that  army  been  more  powerful  or  menacing  than  when,  on 
July  15th,  it  struck  again  to  destroy  in  one  great  battle  the  brave  men 
opposed  to  it  and  enforce  its  brutal  will  upon  the  world  and  civilization. 

Three  days  later,  in  conjunction  with  our  Allies,  you  counter-attacked. 
The  Allied  Armies  gained  a  brilliant  victory  that  marks  the  turning  point 
of  the  war.  You  did  more  than  give  our  brave  Allies  the  support  to  which 
as  a  nation  our  faith  was  pledged.  You  proved  that  our  altruism,  our 
pacific  spirit,  our  sense  of  justice  have  not  blunted  our  virility  and  our 
courage.  You  have  shown  that  American  initiative  and  energy  are  as  fit 
for  the  test  of  war  as  for  the  pursuits  of  peace.  You  have  justly  won  the 
unstinted  praise  of  our  Allies  and  the  eternal  gratitude  of  our  coimtrynien. 

We  have  paid  for  our  successes  with  the  lives  of  many  of  our  l)rave 
comrades.  We  shall  cherish  their  memory  always  and  claim  for  our  liistory 
and  literature  their  bravery,  achievements  and  sacrifice. 

This  order  will  be  read  to  all  organizations  at  the  first  assembly  for- 
mation after  its  receipt.  John  J.  Pershing, 
Official:                                                         General,  Commander-in-Chief. 

Robert  C.  Davis, 
Adjutant  General. 


COMMENDATIUNS  355 

X"  Armee 

fitat-Major  Au  Q.G.A.,  le  30  Juillet  1918. 

3^  Bureau 
No.  862/S 

Ordre  General  No.  318 

Officiers,  Sous-Officiers  et  Soldats  du  3d  U.S.A.C. : 

fipaule  cont.re  epaule  avec  vos  camarades  frangais,  vous  vous  6t^s 
jetes  dans  la  bataille  de  contre-offensive  qui  a  commence  le   18  Juillet. 

Vous  y  avez  couru  comme  a  une  fete. 

Votre  elan  magnifique  a  bouscule  I'ennemi  .surpris  et  votre  tenacity 
indomptable  a  arrete  le  retour  offensif  de  ses  divisions  fralches. 

Vous  vous  etes  montre  les  dignes  fils  de  votre  grand  pays  et  vous  avez 
fait  I'admiration  de  vos  freres  d'armes. 

91  canons,  7200  prisonniers,  un  butin  immense,  10  kilometres  de  ter- 
rain reconquis,  voila  votre  part  dans  le  trophee  de  cette  victoire. 

En  outre,  vous  avez  acquis  pleinement  le  sentiment  de  votre  superiorite 
sur  le  barljare  ennemi  du  genre  humain  tout  entier,  contra  lequel  luttent 
les  enfants  de  la  Liberte. 

L'attaquer,  c'est  le  vaincre. 

Camarades  americains,  je  vous  suis  reconnaissant  du  sang  genereuse- 
ment  verse  sur  le  sol  de  ma  patrie. 

Je  suis  fier  de  vous  avoir  commande  en  de  telles  journ^es  et  d'avoir 
combattu  avec  vous  pour  la  deliverance  du  monde.  M.  Mangin. 


Ordre  Gfe^ral  No.  318 

Officers,  Non-Commissioned  Officers  and  Soldiers 
of  the  3d  United  States  Army  Corps 

Shoulder  to  shoulder  with  your  French  comrades  you  were  thrown 
into  the  counter-offensive  battle  which  commenced  on  the  18th  of  July. 

You  rushed  into  the  fight  as  though  to  a  fete. 

Your  magnificent  courage  completely  routed  a  surprised  enemy  and 
your  indomitable  tenacity  checked  the  counter-attacks  of  his  fresh  divisions. 

You  have  shown  yourselves  worthy  Sons  of  your  Great  Country  and 
you  were  admired  by  your  brothers  in  arms. 

91  guns,  7200  prisoners,  immense  booty,  10  kilometers  of  country 
reconquered;   this  is  your  portion  of  the  spoil  of  this  victory. 

Furthermore,  you  have  really  felt  your  superiority  over  the  barbarous 
enemy  of  the  whole  human  race,  against  whom  the  children  of  Liberty 
are  striving. 

To  attack  him  is  to  vanquish  him. 

American  comrades!  I  am  grateful  to  you  for  the  blood  so  generously 
spilled  on  the  soil  of  my  Country. 


356  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

I  am  proud  to  have  commanded  you  during  such  tlays  and  to  have 
fought  with  you  for  the  dehverance  of  the  world. 

M.  Mangin. 
SAIZERAIS  SECTOR 

The  First  Division  entered  the  Saizerais  Sector  August  7,  1918, 
reheving  the  2d  Moroccan  Division  (French)  approximately  two  kilometers 
southeast  of  Pont-a-Mousson.  There  the  strength  of  the  Division  was 
brought  to  normal. 

The  90th  Division  completed  its  relief  of  the  Division  on  the  night  of 
August  23d-24th,  1918. 

Prisoners  captured — 6. 

Losses:     Killed — 4  men;  Missing — 4  men; 

Wounded — 19  men;         Total — 27  men. 


VIII  Armee. 
fitat-Major. 
3"'  Bureau.  Ordre  General  No.  372. 

A  partir  du  30  Aotit  1918,  les  1'^  et  4"^  C.A.U.S.  cessent  d'appartenir 
a  la  VIII  Armee  Frangaise. 

Au  moment  de  remettre  au  General  Conimantlant  la  l"^"^  Armee 
Americaine  le  commandment  de  la  zone  de  Toul,  le  General,  Commandant 
la  VIII  Armee  Frangaise  est  heureux  d'exprimer  aux  belles  Divisions 
Americaines  qui  s'y  sont  succedees  le  temoignage  de  son  entiere  satisfaction 
pour  les  brillantes  qualites  militaires  dont  elles  ont  constamment  fait 
preuve  sur  cette  partie  du  front  do  la  VIII  Armee. 

Toute.s  ces  Divisions  qui  ont  eu  a  coeur  de  defendre  leur  secteur  avec 
tant  d'energie,  et  dont  certaines  ont  montr6  un  elan  irresistible  au  cours 
de  la  recente  bataille,  assurent  a  1' Armee  Americaine,  sous  le  haut  Com- 
mandement  de  son  Chef  Eminent,  les  plus  brillants  succes. 

le  30  Aoiit  1918. 
[Signed]:  General  Gerard. 
Destinataires:   l"^  2'°^  82""^  89'°"  et  90'"^  D.I. U.S. 


8th  Army, 

Staff 
3d  Bureau. 

General  Order  No.  372. 
On  the  30th  of  August,  the  First  and  Fourth  Army  Corps,  American 
E.  F.,  will  cease  to  belong  to  the  8th  French  Army. 

At  the  time  of  passing  the  command  of  the  Toul  Sector  to  the  Com- 
manding General,  1st  Army,  A.E.F.,  the  Commanding  General,  8th  French 


COMMENDATIONS  357 

Army,  is  glad  to  convey  to  the  gallant  American  Divisions,  who  occupied 
this  sector,  his  best  appreciation  of  the  brilliant  soldierly  qualities  wliich 
they  displayed  on  this  part  of  the  front. 

All  these  Divisions,  who  put  their  whole  energy  in  the  defense  of  the 
sector,  and  those  among  them  who  displayed  the  most  irresistible  daring 
during  the  last  battle,  will,  under  the  high  command  of  their  distinguished 
General,  secure  for  the  United  States  Army  the  most  durable  fame. 

August  30th,  1918. 
General  Gerard. 


ST.  MIHIEL  OFFENSIVE 
The  First  Division  as  a  part  of  the  First  American  Army  participated 
in  the  St.  Mihiel  Offensive,  September  12th-13th,  1918.     We  advanced 
fourteen  kilometers  in  nineteen  hours.     Small  elements  of  the  Division 
advanced  nineteen  kilometers  in  thirty-two  hours. 
Prisoners  captured — 5  officers,  1190  men. 

Material  captured — 30  :  77-mm.  and  150-mm.  guns,  50  machine  guns, 
100  rifles,  quantities  of  small  arms  ammunition,  and  3  locomotives. 
Our  losses  amounted  to: 

Killed — 2  officers,  82  men;  Prisoners — 1  man; 

Wounded — 11  officers,  478  men;    Total — 13  officers,  580  men. 

Missing — 19  men; 


General  Orders  Headquarters,  Fourth  Army  Corps. 

No.  6.  September  13th,  1918. 

1.  The  Fourth  Corps  has  defeated  the  enemy  and  driven  him  back  on 
the  whole  Corps  front.  All  objectives  were  reached  ahead  of  the  time  pre- 
scribed, a  large  number  of  prisoners  and  a  considerable  amount  of  booty 
captured.  The  rapid  advance  of  the  Corps,  in  conjunction  with  the  action 
of  the  elements  of  the  First  Army,  rendered  the  St.  Mihiel  salient  untenable 
to  the  enemy,  who  has  retreated. 

2.  The  greatest  obstacle  to  the  advance  was  thought  to  be  the  enemy's 
wire,  which  presented  a  problem  that  caused  anxiety  to  aU  concerned. 
The  Corps  Commander  desires  to  express  in  particular  his  admiration  of 
the  skill  shown  by  the  small  groups  in  the  advance  battalions  and  their 
commanders  in  crossing  the  hostile  wire,  and,  in  general,  to  express  his 
appreciation  of  the  high  spirit  and  daring  shown  by  the  troops,  and  the 
rapidity  and  efficiency  with  which  the  operation  was  conducted. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Dickman: 
Steward  Heintzelman, 
Colonel,  General  Staff, 
Chief  of  Staff. 


358  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Washington,  September  14,  1918. 
General  John  J.  Pershing, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France. 
Accept  my  warmest  congratulations  on  the  brilliant  achievements  of 
the  Army  under  your  command.    The  boys  have  done  what  we  expected 
of  them  and  done  it  in  the  way  we  most  achnire.    We  are  deeply  proud  of 
them  and  of  their  chief.    Please  convey  to  all  concerned  my  grateful  and 
affectionate  thanks. 

[Signed]:  Woodrow  Wilson. 


September  14,  1918. 
General  Pershing,  Headquarters, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France. 
All  ranks  of  the  British  Armies  in  France  welcome  with  unbounded 
admiration  and  pleasure  the  victory  which  has  attended  the  initial  offensive 
of  the  great  American  Army  under  your  personal  command.     I  beg  you 
to  accept  and  to  convey  to  all  ranks  my  best  congratulations  and  those 
of  all  ranks  of  the  British  Armies  under  my  command. 

[Signed]:  Haig. 


France,  September  14,  1918. 
General  John  J.  Pershing, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France. 
My  dear  General,  the  First  American  Army,  under  your  command  on 
the  first  day,  has  won  a  magnificent  victory  by  a  maneuver  as  skilfully 
prepared  as  it  was  valiantly  acted.    I  extend  to  you,  as  well  as  to  the  officers 
and  troops  under  your  command,  my  warmest  compliments. 

[Signed]:  Marshal  Foch. 


General  Orders  Headquarters,  First  Division, 

No.  56.  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  Septcmlier  16,  1918. 
1.  The  Division  Commander  desires  to  express  to  the  officers  and  men 
of  the  Division  his  appreciation  of  their  gallant  conduct  in  the  recent 
operation  against  St.  Mihiel  salient.  In  spite  of  formidable  wire  entangle- 
ments, badly  broken  terrain  and  most  unfavoratsle  weather,  the  Division 
went  straight  to  its  objectives  on  schedule  time,  speedily  overcoming  the 
enemy  and  driving  him  back  in  disorder  from  his  strongly  organized  posi- 
tions, capturing  many  prisoners  and  much  valuable  war  material.  Owing 
to  your  skill  and  courage  your  own  losses  have  been  light  and  you  are  today 


COMMENDATIONS  359 

stronger  and  better  prepared  than  ever  to  administer  another  blow  to  our 
enemy. 

2.  As  at  Soissons,  so  at  St.  Mihiel  you  have  gallantly  lived  up  to  the 
best  traditions  of  American  manhood  and  have  added  another  glorious 
page  to  the  history  of  our  Country.  The  honor  of  commanding  such  a 
division  must  ever  fill  with  pride  the  heart  of  its  commander  who  can  con- 
fidently look  to  it  to  maintain  on  future  battlefields  the  splendid  record 
of  the  past. 

C.    P.    SUMMERALL, 

Major  General,  U.S.A. 


General  Order  General  Headquarters, 

No.  238  American    Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  December  26,  1918. 

It  is  with  soldierly  pride  that  I  record  in  General  Orders  a  tribute  to 
the  taking  of  the  St.  Mihiel  salient  by  the  First  Army. 

On  Scptemlier  12,  1918,  you  delivered  the  first  concerted  offensive 
operation  of  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  upon  difficult  terrain 
against  this  redoubtable  position,  immovably  held  for  4  years,  which  crum- 
pled before  your  ably  executed  advance.  Within  24  hours  after  the  com- 
mencement of  the  attack  the  salient  had  ceased  to  exist  and  you  were 
threatening  Metz. 

Your  divisions,  which  had  never  been  tried  in  the  exacting  conditions 
of  major  off'ensive  operations,  worthily  emulated  those  of  more  arduous 
experience  and  earned  their  right  to  participate  in  the  more  difficult  task 
to  come.  Your  staff  and  auxiliary  services,  which  labored  so  untiringly 
and  so  enthusiastically,  deserve  equal  commendation,  and  we  are  indebted 
to  the  willing  co-operation  of  veteran  French  divisions  and  of  auxiliary 
units  which  the  Allied  commands  put  at  our  disposal. 

Not  only  did  you  straighten  a  dangerous  salient,  capture  16,000 
prisoners  and  443  guns  and  liberate  240  square  miles  of  French  territory, 
but  you  demonstrated  the  fitness  for  battle  of  a  unified  American  Army. 

We  apjjreciate  the  loyal  training  and  effort  of  the  First  Army.  In 
the  name  of  our  Country,  I  offer  our  hearty  and  unmeasured  thanks  to 
these  splendid  Americans  of  the  1st,  4th  and  5th  Corps  and  of  the  1st,  2d, 
4th,  .5th,  26th,  42d,  82d,  89th,  and  90th  Divisions,  which  were  engaged, 
and  of  the  3d,  35th,  78th,  80th  and  91st  Divisions,  which  were  in  reserve. 

This  order  will  be  read  to  all  organizations  at  the  first  assembly  for- 
mation after  its  receipt. 

John  J.  Pershing, 
General,  Commander-in-Chief. 
Official: 

Robert  C.  Davis, 

Adjutant  General. 


360  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 

ARGONNE 
General  Order  Headquarters  First  Army, 

No.  20.  American  E.xpeditionary  Forces, 

September  28,  1918. 
1.  The  Allied  troops  are  now  engaged  all  along  the  Western  Front  in 
the  largest  combined  movement  of  the  war.     It  is  of  extreme  importance 
that  the  1st  American  Army  drive  forward  with  all  possible  force. 

There  is  evidence  that  the  enemy  is  retiring  fronr  our  own  front. 
Our  success  must  be  followed  up  with  the  utmost  energy,  and  pursuit 
continued  to  bring  about  the  confusion  and  demoralization,  and  to  prevent 
the  enemy  from  forming  his  shattered  forces. 

I  am  counting  on  the  splendid  spirit,  dash  and  courage  of  oiu'  Army 
to  overcome  all  opposition.    Our  country  expects  nothing  else. 

John  J.  Pershing, 
General,  Commanding  First  Army. 
Official: 
Joseph  F.  Barnes, 
Adjutant  General. 


Advanced  Headquarters,  First  Army  Corps, 
October  7,  1918. 
From:      Chief  of  Staff,  1st  Army  Corps,  U.S. 
To:  Commanding  General,  1st  Division. 

Subject:  Commendation. 

1.  Under  telephonic  orders  received  from  1st  Army  Heailquarters, 
your  command  passes  temporarily  today  to  the  5th  Corps. 

2.  The  Corps  Commander  directs  mc  to  inform  you  that  the  work 
accomplished  by  your  command  has  come  up  to  the  highest  expectations 
and  is  up  to  the  standard  which  has  long  ago  been  set  and  always  maintained 
by  the  Pioneer  Division  of  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Liggett. 
Malin  Craig, 
Chief  of  Staff. 


Headquarters,  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
October  10,  1918. 
GERMANY'S  TRIBUTE  TO  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 
Today  a  captured  Colonel  of  the  German  Army  arrived  at  our  Divi- 
sion cage.    He  was  cold,  hungry  and  broken  in  spirit.    After  four  years  of 
severe  fighting  and  constant  service  in  his  army,  he  was  taken  prisoner  by 
the  troops  of  the  victorious  First  Division. 

The  following  is  the  substance  of  his  remarks: 


COMMENDATIONS  361 

"I  received  orders  to  hold  my  ground  at  all  costs.  The  American 
barrage  advanced  toward  my  position  and  the  work  of  your  artillery  was 
marvelous.  The  barrage  was  so  dense  that  it  was  impossible  for  us  to 
move  out  of  our  dug-outs.  Following  the  barrage  closely  was  the  Infantry 
of  the  First  Division.  I  saw  them  forge  ahead  and  I  knew  that  all  was  lost. 
All  night  I  remained  in  my  dug-out  hoping  vainly  that  something  would 
happen  which  would  permit  me  to  rejoin  my  army.  This  morning  your 
troops  found  me  and  here  I  am,  after  four  years  of  fighting,  your  prisoner. 

"Yesterday  I  knew  that  the  First  Division  was  opposite  us  and  I  knew 
that  we  would  have  to  fight  our  hardest  l:)attle  of  the  war.  The  First 
Division  is  wonderful  and  the  German  Army  knows  it.  We  did  not  believe 
that  within  five  years  the  Americans  could  develop  a  division  like  the 
First.  The  work  of  its  Infantry  and  Artillery  is  worthy  of  the  best  armies 
of  the  world." 

The  above  tribute  to  the  First  Division  comes  from  one  of  Germany's 
seasoned  field  officers.  It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  we  learn  that  even 
our  enemies  recognize  the  courage,  valor  and  efficiency  of  our  troops.  The 
work  done  by  the  First  Division  during  the  past  few  days  will  go  down  in 
fiistory  as  one  of  the  most  memorable  events  which  will  live  in  the  hearts 
of  the  American  people  in  the  generations  to  come. 

Every  member  of  this  command  well  deserves  the  enthusiastic  con- 
gratulations from,  and  the  high  respect  in  which  it  is  held  by,  our  comrades 
in  arms  and  by  the  entire  American  nation. 

The  above  will  be  published  to  every  member  of  this  command. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall. 
Thos.  R.  Gowenlock, 
Captain,  Infantry,  U.S.A., 
A.  C.  of  S.,  G-2. 


FIRST  DIVISION'S  WORK  IN  THE  ARGONNE  OFFENSIVE 
Described  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Frederick  Palmer 
In  Collier's  Weekly  for  March  29,  1919,  occurs  the  second  instalment 
of  a  story  by  Lieut.  Colonel  Frederick  Palmer,  during  the  war  attached 
to  the  Intelligence  Section  of  the  General  Staff  at  General  Headquarters, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces,  and  during  the  past  25  years  probably  the 
best  known  war  correspondent  in  the  world.  His  story  deals  with  the  second 
phase  of  the  Meuse-Argonne  offensive,  and  contains  an  account  of  the 
part  played  Ijy  the  First  Division  in  that  battle. 

EXTRACT 

"The  First  was  given  the  place  of  honor  in  the  general  attack  of 
October  4th,  and  a  place  of  honor  in  the  Argonne  battle  was  to  be  costly 
though  glorious. 


■Mi2  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

"Since  my  return  home  I  have  heen  asked  if  Belleau  Woods  was  our 
most  briUiant  action.  One  answers:  Brilhant  in  what  respect?  In  battle 
efficiency?  In  courage?  For  at  the  front  we  thought  of  divisions  only  in 
the  terms  of  efficiency.  .  .  I  should  place  in  even  higher  esteem  than 
Belleau  Woods  the  drive  of  the  First  and  Second  Divisions  toward  Soissons 
in  July  and  possibly  still  higher  that  drive  which  the  First  was  now  to 
make.    We  had  a  dozen  Belleau  Woods  in  the  Argonne. 

"The  First  was  a  regular  division,  the  pioneer  of  our  divisions  in 
France,  the  longest  trained,  but  it  was  not  regular  in  the  old  sen.sc,  being 
better  than  regular  in  my  mind,  as  we  have  understood  the  word  regular 
in  the  past.  Many  of  its  young  officers  were  out  of  the  training  camps,  and 
the  men  who  had  filled  the  gaps  in  the  ranks  had  come  from  the  volunteers 
or  the  draft  in  all  parts  of  the  countrj^  It  was  amazing  how  soon  that 
divisional  machine  made  a  recruit  a  regular. 

"I  think  that  possibly  when  the  First  Division  went  into  the  Argonne 
battle  it  was  the  most  efficient  American  division  that  ever  wore  shoe 
leather.  And  Summerall  in  command.  He  had  led  the  First  in  the  drive 
toward  Soissons.  He  is  a  leader  compounded  of  all  kinds  of  fighting  quali- 
ties, a  crusader  and  a  calculating  tactician,  who,  some  say,  can  be  as  gentle 
as  the  sweetest  natured  chaplain,  while  others  say  that  he  is  nothing  but 
brimstone  and  ruthless  determination.  The  First  with  Summerall  in 
command.  We  knew  it  would  go  through.  It  had  always  gone  through. 
This  was  the  part  cast  for  the  First  in  the  A.E.F.  We  knew  it  would  not 
attack  in  too  great  density,  for  that  is  not  being  mean  and  nasty  to  your 
enemy.  Its  battalion  commanders  would  not  hesitate  in  an  emergency, 
and  its  veteran  gunners  would  roll  barrages  of  fire  accurately  and  steadily 
in  front  of  the  infantry.  Where  strong  points  resisted  the  artillery  would 
be  prompt  with  its  blast  of  destruction  to  clear  the  way.  'As  per  schedule ' 
begins  the  account  of  this  operation — the  coldest  prose  I  have  ever  read 
for  as  hot  a  piece  of  work  as  I  have  ever  seen. 

"The  Germans  had  a  hot  reception  for  the  First,  but  the  First  expected 
this.  It  was  due  on  those  heights  unless  the  Germans  forgot  the  art  of  war. 
Four  new  divisions  were  identified  on  the  First's  front  on  the  first  day's 
attack. 

"Constantly,  undaunted  by  casualties,  the  Division  kept  plowing 
ahead,  blasting  the  enemy's  counter-attacks  before  he  could  bring  enough 
troops  to  bear,  keeping  the  initiative  in  its  own  hands.  There  were  delays 
from  scorching  machine  gun  fire  down  the  roads  and  ravines,  on  the 
slopes  of  Hill  240,  from  gas  and  shell  as  well  as  machine  gun  fire,  delays 
before  machine  gun  fastnesses  that  would  have  baffled  inexperienced  hands, 
but  no  prolonged  repulses. 

"For  eight  days  altogether,  the  First  was  fighting  steadily,  not  taking 
bites  Init  in  determined  persistent  action.  .  .  .  When  the  First  came  out  its 
losses  were  over  9000  in  killed  and  wounded.    Half  of  its  infantry  was  out 


COMMENDATIONS  363 

of  action.  It  had  paid  the  price,  but  it  was  the  price  of  a  vital  success. 
....  not  only  the  First  but  the  other  divisions  which  fought  through  the 
machine  gun  nests  and  underbrush  were  capable  of  deeds  which  make 
Lookout  Mountain  appear  somewhat  less  of  a  battle  by  comparison  than 
some  of  us  think  it  was.  The  First  had  relieved  the  pressure  on  the  77th 
Division,  thus  helping  to  extricate  the  'Lost  Battalion,'  and  opened  the 
door,  closed  by  cross-fire,  for  the  28th  Division,  somewhat  beleaguered, 
but  now  pressing  forward  on  the  other  side  of  the  Aire  Valley  at  the  forest's 
edge,  to  repay  the  First  in  kind  by  helping  to  relieve  it  of  fire  from  across 
the  valley.     .     .     ." 


General  Orders  Headquarters,  First  Division, 

No.  66.  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  October  11,  1918. 

1 .  Pursuant  to  the  orders  of  the  Commander-in-Chief,  the  imdersigned 
relinquishes  command  of  the  First  Division  to  assume  command  of  the 
Fifth  Army  Corps. 

2.  It  is  with  the  feelings  of  the  most  profound  regret  and  with  a  sense 
of  great  personal  loss  that  the  honor  which  has  come  to  me  in  the  command 
of  this  Division  must  be  interrupted  for  service  in  other  fields  of  usefulness. 
To  the  officers  and  enlisted  men  of  the  First  Division,  I  extend  the  most 
profound  gratitude  for  the  loyalty  and  devotion  with  which  they  have 
answered  every  call  to  duty  during  the  great  campaigns  in  which  we  have 
participated  together.  Throughout  its  service  the  First  Division  has  been 
a  model  not  only  to  the  troops  of  our  own  land  but  to  the  Armies  of  the 
world.  They  have  met  and  defeated  the  flower  of  the  great  Prussian  Army, 
and  in  every  case  where  duty  has  called  them  they  have  shown  themselves 
worthy  of  the  finest  traditions  of  our  great  Country  and  of  the  Armies  that 
have  made  its  history  brilliant.  The  achievements  of  the  First  Division 
will  form  one  of  the  most  glorious  pages  in  the  annalsof  ournation.  Through- 
out their  lives,  those  who  formed  a  part  of  it  will  associate  with  pride  their 
participation  in  its  campaigns,  and  the  highest  honor  that  their  posterity 
can  enjoy  will  be  that  of  having  an  ancestor  who  shared  in  the  winning  of 
its  triumphs. 

I  have  a  feeling  of  certainty  that  the  traditions  of  this  Division  will 
be  preserved  by  all  who  come  after  us  and  that  its  future  will  bring  even 
greater  victories  than  those  that  have  distinguished  its  past.  My  interest 
will  be  continuous  and  it  will  be  my  earnest  and  constant  hope  that  its 
successes  will  contribute  in  the  future  as  they  have  in  the  past  to  the  restora- 
tion of  the  world-peace,  and  to  the  maintenance  of  the  loftj'  ideals  for  which 
our  country  has  entered  the  war. 

C.    P.    SUMMERALL, 

Major  General,  U.S.A., 

Commanding. 


S(i4  HISTORY   OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

The  following  letter  was  received  from  the  Commanding  General  of 
the  Fifth  Army  Corps: 

Headquarters,  Fifth  Army  Corps, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France,  30  October,  1918. 
From:      Commanding  General,  Fifth  Army  Corps. 
To:  Commanding  General,    1st  Field   Artillery  Brigade.      (Through 

Commanding  General  First  Division.) 
Subject:  Commendation. 

1.  I  desire  to  commend  most  earnestly  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  for  the  conspicuous  devotion  to  duty,  the  fine 
morale  exhibited  by  them  and  the  great  assistance  that  the  Brigade  has 
rendered  to  the  Corps  during  the  operations  that  have  been  in  progress 
since  the  relief  of  the  First  Division. 

2.  On  account  of  the  need  for  artillery,  this  Brigade  was  retained 
actively  in  the  Corps  front  during  the  period  that  it  was  necessary  to  relieve 
the  rest  of  the  First  Division  for  rest,  recruitment  and  training.  In  spite 
of  the  fact  that  the  personnel  of  the  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  had  been 
without  rest  during  that  time,  they  have  rendered  services  of  the  highest 
value  and  have  exhibited  a  self-sacrificing  devotion  to  duty  which  is 
worthy  of  the  First  Division  and  the  best  traditions  of  our  service.  With 
such  troops  our  future  success  is  assured. 

C.    P.    SUMMERALL, 

Major  General,  Commanding. 


1st  Ind. 
Hdqrs.,    1st  Division,   France,   31    October,    1918 — to  Commanding 
General,  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  1st  Division. 

It  is  with  profound  satisfaction  that  the  Commanding  General  of  the 
First  Division  forwards  this  appreciation  of  the  splendid  qualities,  technical, 
moral  and  material,  which  have  consistently  characterized  the  work  of  the 
1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  during  its  service  in  this  war. 

Frank  Parker, 
Brigadier  General, 

Commanding. 


LETTER  FROM  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  DOUGLAS  MacARTHUR, 

COMMANDING  84th  INFANTRY  BRIGADE,  42d  DIVISION, 

TO  THE  COMMANDING  OFFICER, 

7th  FIELD  ARTILLERY 

My  dear  Colonel  Ruggles: 

As  my  brigade  passes  into  divisional  reserve  and  your  support  passes 
from  it  to  my  successor,  I  am  very  anxious  to  have  you  know  how  much  I 


COMMENDATIONS  365 

appreciate  the  able  and  constant  assistance  of  your  regiment.  Its  support 
has  been  always  satisfactory  and  reassuring  and  has  in  every  instance 
been  effectively,  rapidly  and  easily  obtained.  In  evei-y  special  mission 
my  observers  have  attested  the  power  and  accuracy  of  your  regiment's  fire, 
while  in  my  attack  on  the  Cote  de  Chatillon  the  violence  and  force  of  its 
support  contriliuted  appreciably  to  the  result. 

I  deplore  very  much  the  thought  that  through  my  brigade  the  well- 
earned  relief  of  your  regiment  must  have  been  deferred.  However,  it  is 
only  fairness  to  add  that  I  had  no  intimation  of  the  return  of  your  command 
until  after  that  had  been  effected. 

With  my  best  wishes  and  thanks  to  your  regiment  and  yourself, 
I  am, 

Very  cordially, 

Douglas  MacArthur. 


Headquarters,  Second  Division  (Regular), 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  November  2,  1918. 
From:      Commanding  General,  2d  Division. 
To:  Commanding  General,  1st  Division. 

Subject:  Expression  of  Appreciation  for  Assistance. 

1.  The  success  of  the  attack  of  the  2d  Division  on  November  1,  1918, 
was  largely  due  to  the  efficient  and  energetic  co-operation  of  the  1st  Field 
Artillery  Brigade,  First  Division.  It  is  requested  that  the  above-mentioned 
organization  be  informed  of  the  high  appreciation  of  the  2d  Division  of  its 
valuable  assistance. 

[Signed]:  John  J.  Lajeune, 

Major  General,  U.S.M.C. 


Rec'd  18  :  30  November  5,  1918. 
Memorandum  for  Commanding  Generals, 

1st  and  5th  Corps. 
Subject:  Message  from  the  Commander-in-Chief. 

1.  General  Pershing  desires  that  the  honor  of  entering  Sedan  should 
fall  to  the  First  American  Army.  He  has  every  confidence  that  the  Troops 
of  the  1st  Corps,  assisted  on  their  right  by  the  5th  Corps,  will  enable  him 
to  realize  his  desire. 

2.  In  transmitting  the  foregoing  message,  your  attention  is  invited  to 
the  favorable  opportunity  now  existing  for  pressing  our  advance  through- 
out the  night.    Boundaries  will  not  be  considered  binding. 

By  command  of  Lieut.  General  Liggett. 
Official: 
G.  C.  Mar.shall,  Jr. 
A.  C.  of  S.  G— 3. 


:m>  history  of  the  first  i^i vision 

Headquarters,  Fifth  Army  Corps, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces 
Franco,  10  November,  1918. 
From:      Commanding  General,  Fifth  Army  Corps. 
To:  Commanding  General,  First  Division. 

Sul)jcct:  Commendation. 

Upon  the  relief  of  the  First  Division  from  service  with  the  Fifth  Army 
Corps,  I  desire  to  convey  to  you  and  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
Division  my  profound  appreciation  of  the  high  standards  of  the  maneuvering 
and  fighting  power  that  exists  in  the  Division,  and  of  the  energetic  and 
able  manner  in  which  the  Division  responds  to  every  task  entrusted  to  it. 

The  First  Division  was  reheved  from  this  Corps  on  October  10th  after 
a  prolonged  and  desperate  battle  in  which  it  suffered  unusually  heavy 
casualties.  It  returned  to  the  rear  area,  was  recruited  and  trained  and 
was  again  able  to  take  its  place  in  the  lines  as  a  fir.st-class  combat  division 
on  October  30th.  As  Corps  Reserve  it  followed  the  operation  of  this  Corps 
during  the  advance  commenced  November  1st,  and  was  placed  in  line  for 
assault  on  November  .5th.  The  records  show  that  within  48  hours  it 
marched  all  night  for  two  nights,  fought  all  day  for  two  days  and  covered 
at  least  60  kilometers  across  country  and  through  woods,  and  for  the 
last  10  kilometers  in  the  face  of  the  enemy.  By  its  vigorous  and  powerful 
action  it  drove  the  enemy  across  the  river  as  far  as  Mouzon  and  made  a 
dash  to  the  hills  south  of  Sedan  where  it  formed  preparatory  to  an  assault 
on  that  place. 

The  Country  may  well  feel  proud  of  such  an  organization  and  all 
officers  and  soldiers  of  the  First  Division  may  justly  cherish  the  privilege 
of  serving  with  it  during  this  period  of  the  war. 

C.    P.    SUMMERALL, 

Major  General,  Commanding. 


G.  H.  Q. 
AMERICAN   EXPEDITIONARY  FORCES 
General  Orders  France,  Nov.  19,  1918. 

No.  201. 

1.  The  Commander-in-Chief  desires  to  make  record  in  the  General 
Orflers  of  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  his  extreme  satisfaction 
with  the  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  First  Division  in  its  advance 
west  of  the  Meuse  between  October  4th  and  11th,  1918.  During  this 
period  the  Division  gained  a  distance  of  7  kilometers  over  a  country  which 
presented  not  only  remarkable  facilities  for  enemy  defense,  but  also  great 
difficulties  of  terrain  for  the  operations  of  our  troops. 

2.  The  Division  met  with  resistance  from  elements  of  either  hostile 
divisions,  most  of  which  were  first-class  troops  and  some  of  which  were 
completely  rested.    The  enemy  chose  to  defend  his  position  to  death,  and 


COMMENDATIONS  367 

the  figliting  was  always  of  tlic  most  desperate  kind.  Throughout  tlie  opera- 
tions the  officers  and  men  of  the  Division  displayed  the  highest  type  of 
courage,  fortitude  and  self-sacrificing  devotion  to  duty.  In  addition  to 
many  enemy  killed,  the  Division  captured  1407  of  the  enemy,  thirteen 
77-mm.  field  guns,  10  trench  mortars,  and  numerous  machine  guns  and 
stores. 

3.  The  success  of  the  Division  in  driving  a  deep  advance  into  the 
enemy's  territory  enabled  an  assault  to  be  made  on  the  left  by  the  neigh- 
boring division  against  the  northeastern  portion  of  the  Forest  of  Argonne 
and  enabled  the  First  Division  to  advance  to  the  right  and  outflank  th 
enemy's  position  in  front  of  the  division  on  that  flank. 

4.  The  Commander-in-Chief  has  noted  in  this  Division  a  special  pride 
of  service  and  a  high  state  of  morale,  never  broken  by  hardship  nor  battle. 

5.  This  order  will  be  read  to  all  organizations  at  the  first  assembly 
formation  after  its  receipt. 

By  command  of  General  Pershing: 
Official:  James  W.  Mc Andrew, 

Robert  C.  Davis,  Chief  of  Staff. 

Adjutant  General. 


HEADQUARTERS   FIFTH   ARMY  CORPS, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces 
General  Order  France,  20  November,  1918. 

No.  26. 

1.  The  following  citations  are  announced: 

Extract 
"The  First  Division,  American  E.  F.  (Brig.  General  Frank  Parker, 
Commanding),  extended  the  left  of  the  Corps  during  the  advance,  after  a 
long  and  hard  march,  took  up  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  marching,  fighting 
day  and  night  with  great  courage  and  determination.  It  added  to  its 
already  brilliant  record  by  an  historical  march  of  two  days  and  nights, 
arriving  on  the  heights  southeast  of  the  city  of  Sedan." 

C.    P.    SUMMERALL, 

Official:  Major  General,  Commanding. 

Harry  C.  Kaefring, 
Adjutant  General. 


G.  H.  Q. 
AMERICAN   EXPEDITIONARY   FORCES, 
General  Orders  France,  December  19,  1918. 

No.  232. 

It  is  with  a  sense  of  gratitude  for  its  splendid  accomplishments  which 
will  live  through  all  history,  that  I  record  in  General  Orders  a  tribute  to 
the  victory  of  the  First  Army  in  the  Meuse-Argonne  battle. 


368  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Tested  and  strengtlrened  by  the  reduction  of  the  St.  Mihiel  salient, 
for  more  than  six  weeks  you  battered  against  the  pivot  of  the  enemy  Hne 
on  the  Western  Front.  It  was  a  position  of  impo.sing  natural  strength 
stretching  on  both  sides  of  the  Meuse  River  from  the  bitterly  contested 
hills  of  Verdun  to  the  almost  impenetrable  forest  of  the  Argonne ;  a  position, 
moreover,  fortified  by  four  years  of  labor  designed  to  render  it  impregnable; 
a  position  held  with  the  fullest  resources  of  the  enemy.  That  position  you 
broke  utterly  and  thereby  hastened  the  collapse  of  the  enemy's  military 
power. 

Soldiers  of  all  the  divisions  engagetl  untler  the  1st,  3d  and  5th  American 
Corps  and  the  2d  Colonial  and  17th  French  Corps,  the  1st,  2d,  3d,  4th, 
5th,  26th,  28th,  29th,  32d,  33d,  35th,  37th,  42d,  77th,  78th,  79th,  80th, 
81st,  82d,  89th,  90th  and  91st  American  Divisions,  the  18th  and  26th 
French  Divisions  and  the  10th  and  15th  French  Colonial  Divisions — you 
will  be  long  remembered  for  the  stubborn  persistence  of  your  progress,  j'our 
storming  of  obstinately  defended  machine  gun  nests,  your  penetration 
yard  by  yard  of  woods  and  ravines,  your  heroic  resistance  in  the  face  of 
counter-attacks  supported  by  powerful  artillery  fire.  For  more  than  a 
month,  from  the  initial  attack  of  September  26th,  you  fought  your  way 
slowly  through  the  Argonne,  through  the  woods  and  over  hills  west  of  the 
Meuse;  you  slowly  enlarged  your  hold  on  the  Cotes  de  Meuse  on  the  cast, 
and  then,  on  the  1st  of  November,  your  attack  forced  the  enemy  into  flight. 
Pressing  his  retreat  you  cleared  the  entire  left  bank  of  the  Meuse  south  of 
Sedan,  and  then  stormed  the  heights  on  the  right  bank  and  drove  him  into 
the  plain  beyond. 

Soldiers  of  all  Army  and  Corps  troops  engaged :  to  you  no  less  credit  is 
due;  your  steadfast  adherence  to  duty  and  your  dogged  determination  in 
the  face  of  all  obstacles  made  possible  the  heroic  deeds  cited  above. 

The  achievement  of  the  1st  Army,  which  is  scarcely  to  be  equaled  in 
American  history,  must  remain  a  source  of  proud  satisfaction  to  the  troops 
who  participated  in  the  last  campaign  of  the  war.  The  American  people 
will  remember  it  as  a  realization  of  the  hitherto  potential  strength  of  the 
American  contribution  to  the  cause  to  which  they  had  sworn  allegiance. 
There  can  be  no  greater  reward  for  a  soldier  or  for  a  soldier's  memorj'. 

This  order  will  be  read  to  all  organizations  at  the  first  assembly  for- 
mation after  its  receipt. 

John  J.  Pershing, 
General,  Commander-in-Chief, 
Official:  American  Expeditionary  Forces. 

Robert  C.  Davis, 
Adjutant  General. 


COMMENDATIONS  369 

AFTER  THE  ARMISTICE 
G.  H.  Q. 

American  Expeditionary  Forces 
General  Order  France,  November  12,  1918. 

No.  203. 

Tlie  enemy  has  capitulated.  It  is  fitting  that  I  address  myself  in 
thanks  directly  to  the  officers  and  men  of  the  American  Expeditionary 
Forces,  who,  by  their  heroic  efforts,  have  made  possible  this  glorious  result. 
Our  Armies,  hurriedly  and  hastily  trained,  met  a  veteran  enemy,  and  by 
courage,  discipline  and  skill  always  defeated  him.  Without  complaint 
you  have  endured  incessant  toil,  privation  and  danger.  You  have  seen 
many  of  your  comrades  make  the  supreme  sacrifices  that  freedom  may  live. 
I  thank  you  for  the  patience  and  courage  with  which  you  have  endured. 
I  congratulate  you  upon  the  splendid  fruits  of  victory  which  your  heroism 
and  the  blood  of  our  gallant  dead  are  now  presenting  to  our  nation.  Your 
deeds  will  live  forever  on  the  most  glorious  pages  of  America's  history. 

Those  things  you  have  done.  There  remains  now  a  harder  task  which 
will  test  your  soldierly  qualities  to  the  utmost.  Succeed  in  this  and  little 
note  will  he  taken  and  few  praises  will  be  sung;  fail,  and  the  light  of  your 
glorious  achievements  of  the  past  will  sadly  be  dimmed.  But  you  will  not 
fail.  Every  natural  tendency  may  vu'ge  toward  relaxation  in  discipline, 
in  conduct,  in  appearance,  in  everything  that  marks  the  soldier.  Yet  you 
will  remember  that  each  officer  and  each  soldier  is  the  representative  in 
Europe  of  his  people  and  that  his  brilliant  deeds  of  yesterday  permit  no 
action  of  today  to  pass  unnoticed  by  friend  or  foe.  You  will  meet  this  test 
as  gallantly  as  you  have  met  the  tests  of  the  battlefield.  Sustained  by 
your  high  ideals  and  inspired  by  the  heroic  part  you  have  played,  you  will 
carry  back  to  your  people  the  proud  consciousness  of  a  new  Americanism 
born  of  sacrifice. 

Whether  you  stand  on  hostile  territory  or  on  the  friendly  soil  of  France, 
you  will  so  bear  yourselves  in  discipline,  appearance  and  respect  for  civil 
rights  that  you  will  confirm  for  all  time  the  pride  and  love  which  every 
American  feels  for  your  uniform  and  for  you. 

John  J.  Pershing, 
Official:  General,  Commander-in-Chief. 

Robert  C.  Davis, 

Adjutant  General. 


G.  H.  Q. 
American  Expeditionary  Forces 
General  Order  France,  November  12,  1918. 

No.  204. 
The  following  proclamation  from  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
Allied  Armies  is  published  to  the  Command: 


:i7()  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

G.  H.  Q.,  12  November,  1918. 
Officers,  Non-Commissioned  Officers,  Soldiers  of  the 
Allied  Armies: 

After  having  resolutely  stopped  the  enemy,  you  have  continuously 
attacked  him  for  months  with  a  confidence  and  an  energy  that  never 
slackened. 

You  have  won  tlie  greatest  battle  of  liistory,  and  saved  the  most 
sacred  cause — the  Liberty  of  the  World. 

Be  proud  of  tlae  immortal  glory  with  which  you  have  crowned  your 
flags. 

Posterity  keeps  for  you  lier  gratitude. 

F.  FocH, 
Marshal  of  France, 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Allied  Armies. 

Official:  By  command  of  General  Pershing: 

Robert  C.  Davis,  James  W.  McAndeew, 

Adjutant  General.  Chief  of  Staff. 


Headquarters,  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary'  Forces, 
France,  November  19,  1918. 
From:      Commanding  General,  1st  Division, 
To:  Commanding  General,  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade. 

Subject :  Commendation. 

1.  Upon  relinquishing  command  of  the  First  Division,  the  Command- 
ing General  desires  to  express  to  you  and  through  you  to  the  officers,  non- 
commissioned officers  and  men  of  your  command  his  deep  admiration  for 
your  splendid  Brigade  which  throughout  this  war  has  merited  the  complete 
confidence  and  deepest  respect  of  thi.s  Division. 

2.  Having  commanded  the  first  regiment  (Infantry)  in  Hne  of  this 
Division,  the  1st  Brigade  and  the  First  Division  successively  throughout 
this  war,  I  have  had  ample  opjjortunitics  to  olwerve  the  work  of  the  1st 
Field  Artillery  Brigade  in  all  its  pliases  and  campaigns.  The  Infantry  of 
this  Division  has,  from  the  start,  had  the  most  complete  confidence  in  its 
Artillery,  a  confidence  which  has  increased  with  each  succeeding  com))at 
and  operation  until  the  signing  of  Armistice  on  the  11th  day  of  Noveml)er, 
1918.  To  this  confidence  has  been  added  an  ever-increasing  respect  and 
affection  until  the  close  of  the  war  has  found  the  Infantry  and  Artillery 
of  the  First  Division  Ijound  closely  together,  each  with  a  thorough  sym- 
pathy, respect  and  understanding  of  the  other. 

3.  This  document  will  convey  to  your  command  a  testimonial  from  the 
Infantry  of  this  Division  to  the  effect  that  you  have  at  all  times  merited 
the  confidence  of  the  Infantry — no  higher  praise  can  be  given. 


COMMENDATIONS  371 

4.  Your  Brigade  has  been  at  all  times  conspicuous  as  a  type  of  the 
military  character  which  has  made  the  record  of  the  First  Division  during 
the  war. 

5.  I  request  that  you  read  this  testimonial  in  person  to  your  officers 
assembled  and  that  you  request  them  in  turn  to  have  it  read  in  such  a 
manner  that  everyone  of  the  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  may  realize  the 
profound  respect  and  admiration  of  the  Division  Commander  for  your 
Brigade  which  so  well  typifies  the  character  of  the  First  Division  of  the 
American  Expeditionary  Forces. 

[Signed]:  Frank  Parker, 
Brigadier  General,  Commanding. 


COMMENDATION 

The  following  extract  from  a  lecture  given  by  Major  General  Ernest 
Hinds,  Chief  of  Artillery,  A.E.F.,  at  Langres,  France,  December,  1918,  is 
pul)lished  for  the  information  of  the  officers  and  enhsted  men  of  the  First 
Division : 

"Our  First  Division  was  the  only  one  which  completed  the  entire 
schedule  of  training  as  originally  planned.  That  Division  rendered  such 
conspicuous  service  as  to  win  three  citations  in  orders  of  the  Commander- 
in-Chief,  having  one  General  Order  devoted  exclusively  to  the  citation  of 
courage,  fortitude  and  self-sacrificing  devotion  to  duty  of  its  officers  and 
men,  in  the  Meuse-Argonnc  Offensive,  a  record  made  by  no  other  organiza- 
tion in  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces.  While  the  achievements  of 
this  Division  have  been  due  in  a  large  part,  doubtless,  to  exceptionally 
able  leadership,  it  is  believed  that  it  is  due  in  a  considerable  degree  to  the 
thorough  training  given  as  a  Division.  To  it  do  we  not  only  render  well- 
earned  praise,  but  our  enemies  as  well  add  theirs  as  the  following  tribute 
from  a  German  officer  captured  on  October  10th  shows  (see  page  377, 
Commendations  of  First  Division) : 

"  'I  received  orders  to  hold  the  ground  at  all  costs.  The  American 
barrage  advanced  toward  my  position  and  the  work  of  your  artillery  was 
marvelous.  The  barrage  was  so  dense  that  it  was  impossible  for  us  to 
move  out  of  our  dug-outs. 

"  'Following  the  barrage  closely  were  the  troops  of  the  First  Division. 

"  'We  did  not  beheve  that  within  five  years  the  Americans  could 
develop  a  division  such  as  this  First  Division.  The  work  of  its  infantry 
and  artillery  is  worthy  of  the  best  armies  of  the  world.'  " 

(Memo  366,  First  Division). 


General  Orders:  Headquarters,  First  Division, 

No.  28.  American  Expeditionary  Forces. 

Montabaur,  Germany,  18  March,  1919. 
The  Division  Commander  desires  to  express  to  the  Division  at  large 

his  proud  appreciation  of  its  conduct,  appearance,  and  steady  improve- 


:572  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

ment  duriiifi  the  past  four  months.  Particularly  he  acknowledges  the 
splendid  a[ipe;irance  of  the  Division  at  the  review  for  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  on  tiie  14th  instant,  and  for  the  soldierly  bearing  of  individuals  and 
of  units  throughout  the  Division. 

The  Commander-in-Chief;  the  Commanding  General,  3d  Army;  the 
Commanding  General,  3d  Corps;  and  numerous  visitors,  military  and  civil- 
ian, have  spoken  in  words  of  highest  praise  regarding  that  ceremony. 
Officers  of  the  Division  have  visited  the  reviews  of  other  troops  of  the  3d 
Army  and  have  reported  that  in  comparison  with  them  the  review  of  the 
Division  was  most  beautifully  set  and  executed. 

The  Division  Commander  has  noted  in  the  areas  of  divisions  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Rhine  the  adoption  of  methods  first  put  in  effect  in  our 
own  area.  He  appeals  to  the  pride  of  the  men  and  officers  of  the  Division 
to  maintain  its  high  standard  so  that  it  shall  stand  first  in  all  good  things 
as  in  its  numerical  designation,  and  he  extends  to  them  all  his  most  cordial 
thanks  for  the  successful  efforts  which  they  have  already  made. 

This  ortler  will  be  read  at  the  first  retreat  formation  following  its 
receipt  and  will  be  posted  on  all  bulletin  boards. 

By  command  of  Major  General  McGlachlin: 
Stephen  O.  Fuqua, 

Colonel,  General  Staff, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


AMERICAN  EXPEDITIONARY  FORCES 
Office  of  the  Commander-in-Chief 

France,  March  26th,  1919. 
Major  General  Edward  F.  McGlachlin,  Jr., 
Commanding,  First  Division, 
American  E.  F. 

My  dear  General  McGlachlin: 

To  the  officers  and  men  of  the  First  Division,  I  wish  to  express  my 
compliments  upon  their  excellent  appearance  at  the  inspection  and  review 
on  March  14th  at  Montabaur.  The  high  morale  of  all  ranks  and  the  con- 
dition of  the  artillery  and  transportation  were  what  one  might  expect  to 
find  in  a  command  with  such  a  splendid  fighting  record.  The  First  Division 
has  the  distinction  of  having  been  the  first  combatant  unit  to  arrive  in 
France  and  the  first  to  enter  the  fighting  line.  From  that  time  until  the 
present  its  work  has  been  marked  by  a  high  state  of  excellence  and  efficiency. 

After  serving  in  the  Somerviller  and  Ansauville  Sectors,  the  Division 
entered  the  line  near  Montdidior,  and  on  May  28th  took  Cantigny.  This 
attack  may  be  considered  as  the  beginning  of  American  offensive  operations, 
and  its  success  had  much  to  do  with  the  creation  of  the  splendid  spirit 
thereafter  displayed  by  the  American  troops.    In  the  Aisne-Marne  off  en- 


COMMENDATIONS  :^78 

sive,  the  Division  participated  in  some  of  the  most  desperate  fighting  of 
the  entire  war,  and  helped  to  insure  the  success  of  the  Allied  attack.  Dur- 
ing the  early  part  of  August  the  Division  moved  to  the  Saizei-ais  Sector, 
and  shortly  after  took  part  in  the  St.  Mihiel  operation,  making  a  deep 
advance  through  the  Rupt  de  Mad,  across  the  Vigneulles-St.  Benoit  road 
to  Hattonchatel.  In  the  Meuse-Argonne  battle  the  Division  was  twice 
thrown  into  the  hne — on  October  1st,  at  which  tune  it  pushed  forward  in 
spite  of  heavy  resistance,  and  on  November  5th,  when,  after  a  march  of 
20  kilometers  to  reach  the  jumping-off  hne,  it  attacked  the  enemy  and 
marched  on  Sedan. 

Since  the  signing  of  the  Armistice,  the  First  Division,  as  a  part  of  the 
Army  of  Occupation,  has  had  the  honor  in  safeguarding  the  results  of  its 
victories,  and  for  its  conduct  in  this  work  I  have  onlj'  praise  and  commenda- 
tion. In  view  of  the  above  record,  each  man  in  the  Division  should  feel 
an  especial  pride  in  its  accomplishments,  and  I  want  all  ranks  to  know  my 
appreciation  of  the  achievements  which  stand  to  their  credit,  and  of  the 
admiration  in  which  they  are  held  by  their  fellows  throughout  the  American 
Expeditionary  Forces. 

Sincerely  yours, 

[Signed]:  John  J.  Pershing. 


Through  the  medium  of  the  Division  newspaper,  the  Bridgehead 
Sentinel,  the  Commanding  General,  E.  F.  McGlachhn,  Jr.,  dehvered  at 
different  times  the  following  messages: 

The  first  appeared  on  the  occasion  of  the  Horse  Show. 
General  McGlachhn  to  the  First  Division: 
Men  of  the  First  Diidsion: 

Every  man  in  the  best  company! 

Every  company  in  the  best  battaUon! 

Every  battalion  in  the  best  regiment! 

Every  regiment  in  the  best  brigade! 

All  of  us  in  the  best  division! 

And  our  Division  a  part  of  the  finest  great  soldier-body  in  the  world. 

That  is  the  way  I  wish  that  we  may  feel. 

To  feel  so,  each  of  us  must  do  his  best,  for  then  only  can  he  be  proud 
of  himself  and  proud  of  his  comrades. 

Our  Horse  Show  is  held  so  that  we  may  see  the  results  of  one  another's 
efforts,  benefit  by  what  is  good,  take  heed  of  what  is  bad.  By  it  we  shall 
select  some,  not  necessarily  all,  of  those  who  are  to  represent  us  in  compari- 
son with  other  divisions.  The  awards  will  intlieate,  in  part,  whether  each 
of  us  does  actually  belong  to  the  best  organization.  If  we  do  we  must 
continue  to  keep  ahead.  If  we  do  not  we  must  press  on  to  overtake  those 
who  have  done  better.  I  would  like  to  see  the  Division  a  winner  in  every- 
thing.   It  is  quite  possible  to  make  its  animal  transport  a  continuous  Horse 


:^74  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Show — to  make  the  eye  glad,  the  heart  proud  and  other  divisions  envious. 
I  know  that  you  can  do  this,  for  I  know  well  your  courage  and  gallantry, 
your  high  fighting  spirit,  your  splendid  health  and  your  firm  detprminatioii. 

[Signed]:  E.  F.  McGlachlin,  Jr. 


The  Second  Message,  April  20,  1919. 
Tu  the  Division: 

Undying  fame  is  gained  by  and  rests  firmly  with  that  division  which, 
distinguished  by  courage  and  gallantry  in  action,  by  efficiency  in  operations, 
inflicts  depressing  losses  on  the  foe,  sustains  its  own  with  fortitude,  absorbs 
replacements  rapidly  with  maintenance  of  morale,  is  marked  by  unfaltering 
rletermination  to  win. 

Though  a  division's  fame  may  be  glorious  and  widely  established,  it  is 
quite  possible  for  its  reputation  to  decline.  It  cannot  live  in  the  past  but 
must  march  straight  in  the  present  with  a  steady  forward  gaze. 

As  each  of  us  shares  in  the  benefits  of  this  Division,  each  of  us  owes 
it  the  duty  of  maintaining  its  splendid  traditions  and  of  being  worthy 
always  of  its  wonderful  accomplishments.  As  our  comrades  Ijefore  have 
won  its  fame  by  unsurpassable  heroism,  it  must  be  our  unalterable  purpose 
now  to  secure  its  reputation  by  soldierly  conduct,  high  character,  good 
carriage,  splendid  appearance  and  fine  courtesy.  It  is  only  by  being  simple, 
thorough  and  direct,  and,  even  in  small  things,  by  holding  liigh  standards 
of  duty,  by  ever  thinking  of  our  honor  and  that  of  our  Division,  by  unfailing 
love  of  our  country  that  we  may  keep  the  First  Division  worthy  of  its 
imperishable  fame  already  gained. 

E.  F.  McGlachlin,  Jr., 
Major  General,  U.  S.  Army, 

Commanding. 


The  Third  Message,  May  3,  1919. 
To  the  Division: 

Two  former  classmates  of  mine,  now  large  employers  in  civil  life,  told 
me  that  they  sought  men  who  have  served  in  the  Army  because  they  found 
them  to  be  more  alert,  obedient,  loyal  and  physically  able  than  those 
without  military  training.  But  they  said  they  scrutinized  the  discharge 
certificates  very  carefully. 

Before  the  war  there  were  very  few  employers  who  knew  the  value 
of  the  discharge  certificate  as  evidence  of  character.  Now  there  are  thou- 
sands who  have  actually  prepared  them  and  thoroughly  know  thoir  impor- 
tance. All  commanders  have  been  directed  to  display  the  Form  for  Honor- 
able Discharge  on  bulletin  boards. 

I  appeal  to  every  man  to  keep  his  record  clean.  An  examination  of 
court-martial  cases  shows  many  instances  of  men  who  have  long  served 
without  trial  until  a  moment's  weakness,  discouragement  or  indifference 


COMMENDATIONS  375 

lod  to  the  departure  from  the  high  standards  of  discipline  that  the  Division 
has  always  held  and  to  some  act  which  has  placed  a  blot  on  their  military 
records. 

When  it  is  considered  that  the  discharge  certificate  which  a  great 
many  will  receive  in  a  few  months  is  not  only  a  record  of  past  service  but 
is  possibly  the  key  to  future  success  in  the  Army  or  out  of  it,  care  should 
be  taken  that  no  record  of  conviction  or  of  discipUnary  action  shall  mar  its 
excellence. 

The  Division  has  done  big  things  and  we  must  live  up  to  them  in  a 
big  way.  This  requires  firmness  and  courage  but  it  is  well  worth  the  effort. 
Let  the  men  of  the  First  Division  by  their  conduct  reduce  to  nothing  the 
necessity  for  court-martial  and  disciplinary  action. 

Keep  your  record  clean. 

E.  F.  McGla(  HLiN,  Jr., 
Major  General,  U.  S.  Army, 

Commanding. 


The  Fourth  Message,  June  7,  1919. 
To  the  Division: 

German  eyes  look  and  see,  Boche  ears  listen  and  hear,  Him  lips  tell 
all  the  half-truths  and  lies  and  only  those  truths  calculated  to  accompUsh 
their  particular  selfish  objects. 

Our  enemy  still  attempts  always  to  impose  his  ideas  on  the  world. 

Given  every  opportunity  to  avoid  the  war,  he  insists  that  he  was  not 
responsible. 

Beaten  by  Allied  arms  under  American  impetus,  he  denies  that  he  was 
defeated  but  claims  that  he  was  deceived. 

Entering  Belgium  contrary  to  sacred  promise,  he  avers,  untruthfully, 
that  a  hostile  nation  did  so  first. 

Determined  at  the  beginning  to  force  his  will  upon  all  peoples,  not 
only  for  the  power  and  grandeur  and  enrichment  of  Germany,  but  for  the 
fatal  improverishment  of  other  nations,  at  the  height  of  his  successes  he 
announced  a  pitiless  policy  of  punishment  of  those  who  were  fighting 
against  him.  Far  beyond  the  requirements  of  military  necessity,  he  killed 
American  women  and  children  through  his  underseas  piracy,  killed  and 
maimed  EngKsh  women  and  children  through  bombardment  of  undefended 
places,  destroyed  French  mines  beyond  repair  for  fifteen  years  and  ruined 
and  stole  Belgian  machineiy  for  no  purpose  except  to  delay  resumption  of 
industry  that  his  own  might  more  greatly  prosper. 

Having  through  greed  inflicted  infinite  losses  upon  us  and  our  Allies 
he  now  whines  and  weeps  and  wrings  his  hands  that  he  is  called  upon  for 
reparation  in  kind,  though  not  in  measure,  for  his  misdeeds.  He  cries  out 
against  the  diminution  of  war-power  imposed  upon  him  to  remove  his 
serious  menace  to  peace,  not  to  punish  him. 


376  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

As  during  the  war  by  ]irit)ery,  corruption,  spying,  stealth,  secret 
destruction,  Hes,  theft,  violence,  murder,  violation  of  women,  slavery, 
cruelty  to  children  and  old  men  and  women  he  made  himself  the  horror  of 
the  world,  now  by  his  insolence,  bluff,  lies,  appeals  for  sympathy  he  makes 
himself  contemptible.  Contemptible,  his  might  is  no  longer  to  be  feared 
though  he  is  dangerous.  He  is  dangerous  because  without  conscience  he 
conducts  an  organized  unscrupulous  campaign  to  deny  his  unmeasured 
crimes,  to  create  mutual  distrust  between  the  Allies,  to  make  us  suspicious 
of  each  other,  to  plant  in  our  minds  seeds  of  doubt  of  our  principles,  our 
institutions  and  our  President,  to  gain  sympathy  for  his  future  imaginary 
distress. 

In  that  organized  campaign  the  people  among  whom,  through  necessity, 
we  live  play  their  parts.  By  little  welcome  favors,  l)y  insistence,  by  repe- 
tition, by  making  a  friend  here  and  another  there  they  attempt  to  force 
their  wedges  of  argument,  disclaim,  pleading,  suspicion  and  distrust  to 
break  our  conviction  in  the  righteousness  of  our  cause,  the  unworthiness 
of  theirs. 

There  is  nothing  consistent  between  (Jerman  pul)lic  motive  and  Ameri- 
can spirit  and  ideals.  There  is  nothing  in  our  soldierly  duty  requiring  or 
authorizing  us  to  convert  our  enemy  to  our  lieliefs.  There  is  everything  in 
our  soldierly  duty  requiring  us  to  keep  faithfully  our  own  beliefs,  to  be 
loyal  to  our  Allies  and  to  sustain  our  American  traditions  and  morale. 

Let  us  see  everything,  hear  everything,  of  value  to  our  cause,  say  noth- 
ing to  our  enemy.  Let  us  present  and  maintain  our  honor,  perform  exactly 
our  duty,  devote  ourselves  loyally  to  our  country. 

E.  F.  McGlachlin,  Jr., 
Major  General,  U.  S.  A.,  Commanding. 


HEADQUARTERS   THIRD   ARMY   CORPS 

American  Expeditionary  Forces 

Office  of  Commanding  General 
General  Orders  June  26,  1919. 

No.  51. 

1.  The  Corps  Commander  desires  to  congratulate  the  officers  anrl  men 
of  the  command  upon  the  announced  intentions  of  the  Germans  to  sign  the 
Peace  Treaty,  and  hence  the  victorious  termination  of  the  great  war,  in 
which  you  have  pla3'ed  so  conspicuous  a  part. 

2.  The  promptness  and  resolution  of  your  recent  concentration  for  a 
further  advance  was  the  final  and  conclusive  proof  to  our  enemies  that  you 
intended  to  see  the  work  you  had  so  well  begun  successfully  concluded 
before  you  stopped.  This  was  the  deciding  factor  in  causing  them  to 
realize  that  further  resistance  was  hopeless,  and  that  in  spite  of  their 
protests  their  signature  must  be  affixctl  to  the  peace  terms  of  the  Allies. 


COMMENDATIONS  377 

3.  There  remains  for  you,  therefore,  in  the  proba}:)ly  short  interim 
before  your  return  to  the  United  States,  l)y  the  orderhness  of  your  l)ehavior 
and  the  temperance  of  your  contluct,  to  hold  yourselves  prejiared  for  that 
return  and  leave  untarnished,  in  the  last  days  of  your  occupation  of  the 
Rhineland,  the  splendid  reputation  you  have  earned  as  soldiers  on  the 
battlefields  and  as  men  in  the  trying  months  of  the  long  armistice. 

4.  Organization  Commanders  will  read  this  order  to  their  commands 
at  the  first  practicable  formation  after  its  receipt. 

J.    L.    HiNES, 

Official:  Major  General,  U.  S.  A., 

David  O'Keefe,  Commanding. 

Adjutant  General. 

Dist.  "C." 


Paris,  June  17,  1919. 
To  Commanding  General,  First  Division, 
Montabaur,  Germany. 

It  has  come  to  my  notice  that  there  is  a  movement  on  the  way  to  mark 
the  graves  and  battlefields  of  the  First  Division.  The  Salvation  Army  has 
sei-ved  the  First  Division  dvu'ing  the  war,  from  its  earliest  days  in  France 
and  throughout  its  various  engagements.  Many  of  the  boys  we  have  known 
have  made  the  supreme  sacrifice  and  now  lie  buried  on  the  battlefields  of 
France.  May  I  offer,  on  behalf  of  the  Salvation  Army,  a  contribution  of 
100,000  francs  toward  the  object  you  have  in  mind.  This  amount  comes 
from  the  surplus  from  the  operations  of  our  canteens.  Yom-  acceptance  of 
this  will  give  great  pleasure  to  the  Workers  of  the  Salvation  Army  who  have 
had  the  privilege  of  serving  the  First  Division. 

W.  S.  Barker, 
Colonel,  Salvation  Army. 


Montabaur,  Germany,  June  18,  1919. 
Colonel  W.  S.  Barker", 
Salvation  Army, 
Paris,  France. 

The  movement  to  mark  the  graves  and  battlefields  of  the  First  Division 
has  been  undertaken  by  it  as  a  solemn  obligation.  >  The  generous  offer  of 
the  Salvation  Army,  presented  in  your  telegram  of  June  17th,  is  gladly 
accepted  and  gratefully.  It  endears  that  organization  even  more  fondly 
to  the  First  Division  which  already  holds  it  in  most  affectionate  respect 
and  admiration  for  its  wholly  unselfish  and  highly  efficient  service  to 
America's  fighting  men  during  the  war.  The  Division  will  administer  its 
funds  for  the  purpose,  not  as  a  military  unit,  but  through  the  Society  of 
the  First  Division,  now  numbering  17,000.  The  funds  may,  therefore,  be 
properly  placed  to  the  credit  of  Lieut.  Colonel  B.  R.  Legge,  Acting  Secre- 


378  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

tary-Treasurer  of  the  Society,  at  the  Bank  of  France,  Nancy.    The  Salva- 
tion Army's  splendid  gift  will  l)e  devoted  solely  to  the  purpose  stated. 

Edward  F.  McGlachlin,  Jr. 

Major  General,  Commanding, 

First  Division. 


HEADQUARTERS   THIRD   ARMY 

American  Expeditionary  Forces 
General  Order  2  July,  1919. 

No.  62. 
1.  The  following  is  published  for  the  information  of  the  Command: 

Chaumont,  2  July,  1919. 
From:      Lieutenant  General  Hunter  Liggett,  U.  S.  Army. 
To:  Chief  of  Staff,  Third  Army. 

Subject:  Dissolution  of  the  Third  Army. 

1.  I  am  informed  that  orders  will  issue  this  date  dissolving  the  Third 
Army  and  returning  me  to  the  Unitetl  States. 

2.  I  desire  to  record  my  official  satisfaction  and  personal  gratification 
at  having  commanded  the  splendid  units  constituting  the  Third  Army 
and  further  my  sincere  regret  at  leaving  the  officers  and  men  who  have  made 
the  Third  Army,  upheld  its  standard,  and  who,  by  their  rehability  and 
steadfast  attention  to  the  duties  devolved  ujion  them,  cau.sed  that  Army 
and  its  accomplishments  to  pass  into  history  with  the  proudest  and  fairest 
of  records. 

.3.  To  the  wonderful  Military  Machine  which  constitutes  my  Staff, 
I  desire  to  give  special  thanks.  The  officers  and  men  of  that  Staff,  tried 
out  in  the  earlier  days  in  the  A.E.F.,  constitute  a  picture  of  efficiency, 
ability,  and  loyalty  which  will  always  remain  with  me,  and  I  face  the  final 
years  of  my  active  military  career  with  the  sincere  thanks  and  the  utmo.st 
satisfaction  that  I  have  known  such  men  and  have  enjoyed  them  as  friends 
and  companions. 

H.  Liggett, 
Official:  Lieut.  General, 

Malin  Craig,  Commanding  Third  Army. 

Chief  of  Staff. 


Headquarters  First  Division, 
American  Forces  in  Germany, 
Montabaur,  Germany,  9  July  1919. 
General  Orders 
Number  59. 

In  its  march  to  the  Rhine,  its  occupation  of  tlio  Coblenz  Bridgehead, 
its  preparation  for  further  fighting,  its  concentration  for  rapid  advance, 
the  Division  has  called  forth  expressions  of  praise  and  admiration  from 


COMMENDATIONS  379 

Corps  and  Army  Commanders.    It  has  sustained  well  its  former  reputation 
gained  in  battle. 

With  the  ratification  today  of  Peace  l^y  the  German  National  Assembly 
at  Weimar  its  immediate  experience  of  war  comes  to  a  close. 

Its  rank  and  file  have  been  simple,  direct  and  thorough;  gallant, 
determined  and  efficient;  loyal,  patriotic  and  temperate;  good-humored, 
severe  and  just. 

From  now  there  will  be  rapid  and  great  changes  in  its  personnel. 
Before  so  many  comrades  leave  us  and  at  the  real  conclusion  of  the  war 
the  Commanding  General  thanks  every  officer  and  man  for  his  services 
and  for  these  splendid  qualities  which  have  shown  to  the  world  what  a 
fine  thing  an  American  division  may  l)ecome. 

The  First  Division  is  a  living  personality  to  inspire  love  and  respect 
in  all  of  us,  whether  we  remain  with  it  or  pass  to  other  duties  and  responsi- 
bilities in  military  or  civil  fife. 

E.  F.  McGlachlin,  Jr., 
Major  General,  U.  S.  Army, 

Commanding. 


EXTRACT 
From  speech  delivered  by  General  Pershing  at  London,  July  17,  1919. 

You  will  recall  that  when  our  First  Division  entered  the  battle-line 
and  fought  the  small  though  brilliant  battle — the  first  as  an  independent 
command,  at  Cantigny,  that  the  success  which  attended  the  attack  not 
only  set  an  example  for  future  American  divisions  to  follow,  but  really 
had  an  electrifying  effect  through  the  AlUed  lines  and  gave  new  hope  to 
the  armies. 


"The   Armistice   stopped   the   First  Division   once;    the  signing  of 
Peace  stopped  it  a  second  time;  German  soldiers  never  stopped  it." 

Edwin  L.  James, 
War  Correspondent,  New  York  Times. 


REPUBLIC  OF   FRANCE 

Paris,  August  2,  1919. 
Office  of  the  President  of  the  Council. 

To  the  General  Commanding  the  First  Division 
My  Dear  General: 

Arrived  the  first  in  France,  your  Division  is  the  last  to  leave  our 
country.     Be  assured  that  we  will  faithfully  guard  its  remembrance. 

Those  amongst  your  soldiers  who  have  gone  through  all  the  experiences 
of  the  war  will  not  forget  with  what  warm  emotion  the  French  populace, 
two  years  ago,  acclaimed  the  first  contingents  of  the  great  American  array. 


380  HISTORY   OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

And  we,  tlio  Froiifl;,  will  ronipiiihcr,  always,  that  the  first  American 
soldiers,  fallen  in  this  war,  repose  in  the  soil  of  J^orraine  at  Batheleniont 
and  that  they  belonged  to  your  noble  unit. 

In  order  to  do  justice  to  the  history  of  the  First  Division  it  would  be 
necessary  for  me  to  trace  again  all  the  development  of  the  battles  of  the 
last  year  of  the  war.  It  will  suffice  me  to  evoke  the  glorious  name  of 
Cantigny,  to  recall  the  offensive  of  July,  whore  you  collected  as  trophies 
3300  prisoners  and  79  guns,  and  those  hard  combats  of  the  months  of 
September  and  October  between  the  Argonne  and  the  IVIeuse  where  the 
First  Division  knew  how  to  live  at  the  height  of  its  reputation. 

You  have  paid  for  your  successes  with  heavy  sacrifices,  and  my  grateful 
thoughts  go  out  to  all  those  who  have  fallen  in  the  fight.  I  wish  for  the 
First  Division  a  happj'  return  to  their  homes  and  I  hope  that  all  who  have 
fought  under  its  flags  will  cherish  a  faithful  memory  for  France. 

Please  accept,  my  dear  General,  the  assurance  of  my  most  devoted 
sentiments. 

For  the  President  of  the  Council  and  by  his  Order: 

The  Commissaire  General  for  the  French-American  Affaires  of  War. 

(Signature) 

Taedieu 


HEADQUARTERS   AMERICAN   FORCES  IN  GERMANY 

19  August,  1919. 
From:      Commanding  General,  A.  F.  in  G. 
To:  Commanding  General,  First  Division. 

Subject:  Appreciation  of  Services  of  Division. 

Upon  the  departure  from  my  command  of  the  First  Division,  I  avail 
myself  of  this  opportunity  to  address  to  j^ou  and  the  soldiers  of  your  Divi- 
sion, these  few  words  of  commendation  of  your  achievements  while  in  the 
American  Expcditionarj^  Forces. 

The  first  American  Division  to  take  a  part  in  the  great  struggle,  you 
are  now  the  last  to  leave  the  Army  of  Occujiation.  During  the  tw^o  long 
years  in  Europe  you  have  won  undj'ing  fame  and  have  earned  great  glorj^ 
for  the  American  Army. 

Trained,  tested  and  strengthened  liy  the  occupation  of  defensive 
sectors,  j'ou  nevertheless  took  your  part  in  stemming  the  Prussian  tide  that 
threatened  to  overthrow  civilization,  when  you  formed  a  veritable  wall  in 
the  Montdidier-Noyon  defensive  to  stop  the  German  advance. 

You  executetl  with  tletermination  and  valor  the  attack  at  Cantigny, 
and  to  you  belongs  the  honoi'  of  having  been  the  first  American  division  to 
take  the  offensive  against  the  enemy. 

At  Soissons,  shoulder  to  shouUler  with  the  best  French  troops,  you 
proved  that  no  troops  were  superior  in  assault  to  those  of  the  United  States; 


COMMENDATIONS  381 

and  at  St.  Mihiel  the  defenses  of  the  enemy  fell  easily  before  your  terrific 
onslaught. 

In  the  early  days  of  the  Meuse-Ar^onne  operation,  in  spite  of  heavy 
losses,  your  attacks  were  irresistible,  carrying  all  Ijefore  them;  and,  at 
the  end  of  that  campaign,  by  brilliant  maneuvers,  by  skillfully  executed 
marches,  and  by  bold  assaults,  you  were  seriously  threatening  the  enemy 
when  the  Armistice  souniled  the  death  knell  of  the  German  Empire. 

On  the  march  to  the  Rhine  and  during  the  occupation  of  the  Bridge- 
head at  Coblenz,  your  foi-titude,  your  cheerfulness  and  your  esprit  do  corps 
have  been  proud  tokens  of  your  splendid  morale  and  have  been  noted  with 
pride  by  our  Commander-in-Chief  and  by  the  Army  Commanders. 

Soldiers  of  the  First  Division :  Your  deeds  are  unsurpassed  in  our  mili- 
tary history,  and  the  brilUancy  of  your  exploits  is  forever  enduring.  You 
have  made  immortal  the  name  of  your  organization  and  you  have  glorified 
the  memory  of  your  fallen  comrades. 

[Signed]:  Henry  T.  Allen, 

Major  General,  U.S.A. 


GOOD-BYE  FIRST! 

The  last  of  the  old  Regular  Army  Divisions,  the  First,  is  leaving.  They 
are  leaving  with  a  record  so  brilliant  that  it  is  impossible  to  add  or  detract. 
The  work  they  have  done,  the  history  they  have  written  and  the  marvelous 
achievements  they  have  accomplished  will  stand  as  an  everlasting  monu- 
ment to  their  memory.  It  remains  for  us  who  are  to  remain  on  the  Rhine 
to  uphold  the  glorious  traditions  of  the  old  Regular  Army,  and  to  further 
advance  the  work  which  they  have  thus  far  so  nobly  accompUshed. 

The  First  Division  was  the  first  to  come  and  the  last  to  leave.  There 
were  no  bands  to  escort  them  when  they  left  God's  Country  some  two  years 
ago.  They  left  as  regulars  do,  because  it  was  their  business,  their  profes- 
sion, and  they  had  a  job  to  finish.  The  puff  of  the  engine  and  the  grind 
of  the  wheels  was  all  the  good-bye  they  heard. 

Some  two  years  ago  Battery  "C"  of  the  Sixth  Field  Artillery  sent  the 
first  75  shell  toward  the  enemy  lines.  Since  then  their  record  has  been  a 
remarkable  one.  The  work  of  the  Fii'st  at  Cantigny,  Soissons,  St.  Mihiel, 
Argonne  and  Sedan  not  only  placed  it  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  combat 
divisions  but  it  served  to  uphold  the  glorious  traditions  of  he  American 
regular  Army. 

The  Division's  stay  in  Germany  is  as  notable  as  its  fighting  career, 
and  the  streets  of  Coblenz  will  no  longer  ring  with  that  steady  tread  of 
these  seasoned  soldiers.  Clean  in  sports  and  athletics,  well-disciplined  and 
clean-cut  in  appearance,  this  Division  gained  a  reputation,  and  made 
many  friends.  From  that  Sunday  morning  on  December  first,  when  the 
Division  crossed  the  Moselle  into  German  territory,  to  the  time  of  its 
departure,  it  has  been  a  credit  to  the  American  Forces  along  the  Rhine. 


;i82  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST   DIVISION 

It  is  fitting  and  proi^'r  that  The  Amaroc  News  should  say  good-bye 
to  friends,  consequently  it  says  "Good-bye"  to  The  Bridgehead  Sentinel. 
From  the  start  this  paper  was  bright  and  snappy,  well-written  and  good 
in  mechanical  appearance.  True  to  tradition,  the  First  were  pioneers  in 
publishing  a  first-class  army  newspaper. 

We  desire  to  e.xpress  the  appreciation  of  the  American  Troops  in 
Germany,  especially  at  this  time  when  the  last  solid  regular  division  is 
leaving.  It  was  with  regret  that  we  saw  the  Fourth,  Second,  and  Third 
Divisions  leave  and  it  is  with  regret  that  we  say  good-bye  to  the  last  of 
this  famous  combination,  the  First. 

We  join  hands  with  the  entire  force  in  Germany  in  bidding  that 
soldier  and  gentleman,  Major  General  E.  F.  McGlachlin,  and  the  members 
of  his  command  a  last  farewell. — The  Amaroc. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT 

Washington, 
September  2,  1919. 
The  country  greets  the  First  Division  upon  its  return. 
This  was  the  pioneer  force  of  the  American  Army  in  France;  it  was  the 
first  in  the  trenches,  first  in  battle;  and  it  returns  last  of  the  great  fighting 
army  which  carried  the  message  of  American  power  and  American  idealism 
to  victory  on  European  battlefields.     With  its  return  the  history  of  the 
Expeditionary  Forces  is  completed — a  great  and  stirring  history  in  which 
the  First  Division  played  a  part  distinguished  by  gallantry,  endurance  and 
success. 

Newton  D.  Baker, 

Secretary  of  War. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT 

Office  of  the  Chief  of  Staff 

Washington 
September  2,  1919. 
The  War  Department  sends  greetings  to  the  First  Division  on  its 
arrival  home  after  a  career  and  with  a  record  unsurpassed  by  any  division 
in  the  American  Expeditionary  Force.  This  superb  command  contains  the 
finest  types  of  American  manhood,  men  whose  ser\'ices  have  been  of  incal- 
culable value  to  the  Country.  The  record  of  this  Division  furnishes  a 
splendid  chapter  in  American  history  and  will  always  be  dear  to  the 
hearts  of  all  Americans. 

P.  C.  March, 
General,  Chief  of  Staff. 


COMMENDATIONS  383 

September  15,  1919. 
My  Dear  General  McGlachlin: 

I  have  received  from  the  Presiflent  by  telegram  a  message  to  the  First 
Division,  which  he  directs  me  to  communicate.    It  is  as  follows: 

"  It  is  a  matter  of  deep  regret  to  me  that  I  cannot  be  in  Washington  to 
review  you  and  bid  you  a  welcome  in  person. 

"The  whole  Country  has  followed  your  record  in  the  great  war  with 
pride.  It  is  impossible  justly  to  assess  the  achievements  of  one  division 
where  all  acquitted  themselves  with  such  valor  and  distinction,  but  it  is 
possible  to  see  how  each  has  won  for  itself  a  pecuHar  glory  and  I  am  sure 
that  I  speak  for  the  whole  Country  when  I  praise  you  alike  with  my  heart 
and  with  my  judgment  for  the  laurels  you  have  added  to  the  records  of 
American  steadfastness,  valour,  dash,  and  unconquerable  capacity.  We 
welcome  you  with  praise  and  with  thanksgiving  that  our  beloved  Country 
has  produced  such  men,  such  champions  of  her  own  rights  and  of  the 
rights  of  free  men  everywhere.  It  is  an  added  pleasure  that  in  welcoming 
you  home  we  may  at  the  same  time  welcome  your  gallant  and  distinguished 
commander.  Your  work  is  done,  gallantly  and  nobly  done.  It  now  remains 
for  us  who  gave  you  occasion  to  see  that  what  you  did  is  made  forever 
complete  by  the  concert  of  all  the  Nations  who  love  peace  and  pursue  justice. 

"WooDRow  Wilson." 

In  thus  being  the  happy  medium  through  which  this  message  from  the 
Commander-in-Chief  is  delivered,  may  I  add  my  own  grateful  congratu- 
lations and  good  wishes. 

Cordially  yours, 

Newton  D.  Baker, 
Secretary  of  War. 
Major  General  E.  F.  McGlachlin, 

First  Division  Headquarters. 


WASHINGTON  D.  C.  SEPT.  19,  1919. 

MAJ  GENERAL  EDWARD  F  McGLACHLIN,  Jr. 

COMMANDING  FIRST  DIVISION  CAMP  MEADE  MD. 
THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  DESIRES  ME  TO  CONGRATULATE 
YOU  ON  THE  SPLENDID  SHOWING  MADE  BY  THE  FIRST 
DIVISION  IN  THE  REVIEWS  OF  SEPTEMBER  TENTH  AND 
SEVENTEENTH  IN  NEW  YORK  AND  WASHINGTON  AND  TO 
REQUEST  THAT  YOU  THANK  YOUR  STAFF  AND  ALL  THE 
OFFICERS  AND  MEN  OF  YOUR  DIVISION  FOR  THE  WILLING 
SPIRIT  WHICH  RESULTED  IN  THE  COMPLETE  SUCCESS  OF 
BOTH  DEiMONSTRATIONS. 

HARRIS 

8:25  A  Sept.  20. 


884  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST    DIMSION 

Headquarters  First  Divisior.; 
Camp  Meade,  Maryland, 
20  September,  1919. 
General  Orders 
No.  70. 

To  THE  Officers  and  Enlisted  Men  of  the  First  Division 
After  serving  with  the  First  Division  for  ten  months,  the  Commanding 
General  parts  company'  with  it  today  to  assume  command  of  another 
division. 

He  thanks  you,  every  one,  for  your  loyalty,  obedience,  and  high  accom- 
plishments under  his  command.  He  feels  that  he  can  add  nothing  to  the 
testimony  he  has  already  borne,  in  addresses  and  in  orders,  to  your  admira- 
ble efficiency  in  combat,  in  the  occupation  of  hostile  territory  and  in  the 
celebration  of  your  home-coming.  He  believes  you  to  be  today  the  superior 
fighting  division  in  the  world. 

Wekled  into  a  harmonious  whole  by  your  confidence  and  esteem,  you 
are  the  glorious  example  of  the  highest  possibilities  of  our  American  man- 
hood in  the  machinery  of  war. 

Within  a  few  days  you  will  be  scattered  throughout  all  of  the  States 
and  possessions  of  the  United  States.  You  take  with  you  his  dearest  love 
and  gratitude  and  his  warmest  admiration. 

He  asks  you  who  leave  it  to  keep  steadfast  in  yoiu'  mutual  affection 
and  true  to  the  heroic  memories  of  your  old  Division.  You  veterans  can 
be  of  immense  help  in  its  future  efficiency  by  maintaining  and  showing 
your  continued  interest  in  it. 

He  asks  you  who  remain  with  it  to  keep  touch  with  those  who  depart, 
to  he  constant  to  the  gallant  cxam])le  of  our  dead  and  to  uphold  the  honor 
and  fame  of  the  First  Division. 

You  can  best  honor  it  by  conforming,  in  whatever  walks  of  life,  to  its 
fine  traditions  and  to  the  highest  principles  of  American  citizenship. 
May  God  speed  you  always. 

E.  F.  McGlachlin,  Jr., 

Major  General,  U.S.A., 

Commanding. 


WESTERN   UNION   TELEGRAM 

Washington,  Sept.  23,  1919. 
Conamanding  General,  First  Division,  Camp  Meade. 

I  desire  to  compliment  you  and  your  men  on  the  remarkably  fine 
showing  of  the  First  Division  in  New  York  and  Washington.  Despite  the 
difficulties  in  taking  over  new  aniinals  and  impedimenta  at  the  last  moment 
the  material  and  transportation  of  the  Division  was  in  splendid  shape. 


COMMENDATIONS 


:isr> 


The  appearance  of  the  men  was  as  always  magnificent  and  reflected  the 
high  state  of  discipline  and  morale  for  which  the  Division  was  celebrated 
on  the  battlefields  of  France.  Please  convey  to  all  ranks  my  congratula- 
tions on  this  last  appearance  of  the  First  Division  in  connection  with  the 
American  Expeditionary  Forces. 

John  J.  Pershing. 


PART  IV 
FIELD  ORDERS 


FIELD   ORDERS 

T.  S.,  G.  S. 
P.  B.  M. 
CONFIDENTIAL        Headquarters  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  October  8,  1917. 
From:      The  Adjutant  General, 
To:  The  Commanding  General,  First  Division, 

Subject:  Training  of  the  Division. 

1.  A  program  of  training  for  your  Division  has  been  sent  you.  An 
allowance  of  time  has  been  made  in  the  second  period  of  this  program  for  a 
tour  of  ten  days  at  the  front  for  each  battalion  of  Infantry  and  Field 
Artillery  in  your  command. 

2.  In  order  that  the  final  arrangements  might  be  made  for  this  tour, 
which  has  already  been  discussed  by  the  Commander-in-Chief  with  the 
Commanding  General,  Eastern  Group,  staff  officers  from  these  Head- 
quarters, accompanied  by  a  staff  officer  and  an  interpreter  from  your 
Division,  visited  Headquarters  Eastern  Group,  Mirecourt,  Thursday, 
October  4,  1917.  At  the  conference  which  followed  it  was  arranged  that 
instructions  would  be  sent  by  the  Commanding  General,  Eastern  Group, 
through  his  Corps  Commander  to  the  Commanding  General,  18th  French 
Division,  advising  the  latter  of  the  contemplated  tour  at  the  front  by 
troops  of  your  Division  and  directing  him  to  make  all  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments with  you  to  accomplish  the  result  desired,  including  all  matters 
pertaining  to  transportation. 

3.  You  will  designate  accordingly  one  battalion  in  each  regiment  of 
Infantry  and  Field  Artillery  of  your  Division  to  constitute  the  first  group 
for  this  instruction  and  will  train  them  in  advance  for  the  duty  contem- 
plated. Upon  receipt  of  information  from  the  Commanding  Genei'al,  18th 
French  Division,  that  he  has  received  instructions  concerning  the  matter, 
you  will  arrange  with  him  for  a  careful  reconnaissance  of  the  trenches  to 
be  occupied.  The  first  reconnaissance  will  be  made  during  the  first  period 
designated  in  the  program  of  training  by  one-half  the  officers  of  the  battalion 
of  the  1st  groui")  and  such  other  officers  of  your  Division  as  you  may  desig- 
nate. Appropriate  arrangements  will  be  made  for  reconnaissance  by  other 
groups  at  the  proper  time.  Each  company  commander  will  be  accom- 
panied during  the  reconnaissance  by  two  non-commissioned  officoi\s  from 
his  company.  You  will  advise  the  Commander-in-Chief  in  advance  of  the 
date  on  which  the  first  reconnaissance  will  begin  in  order  that  two  staff 
officers  from  these  Headquarters  may  accompany  the  staff  officei-s  of  your 
Division. 

(389) 


390  HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

4.  Upon  completion  of  tlic  reconnaissance  and  in  full  co-operafion 
with  the  Commanding  General,  18th  French  Division,  you  will  send,  durinfi; 
the  second  period  of  training,  one  tmttalion  of  each  regiment  of  Infantry 
and  Field  Artillery  for  a  ten-day  jieriod  of  ser\ace  in  the  trenches.  A 
second  and  third  group  of  battalions,  identical  with  the  first,  will  follow 
the  first  group,  each  for  the  same  service  and  for  the  same  period,  the  total 
tune  to  be  covered  by  this  phase  of  training  not  to  exceed  that  indicated  in 
the  "second  period"  in  the  program  of  training  for  your  Division. 

5.  For  the  purpose  of  this  tour  in  the  trenches  each  Infantry  battalion 
will  be  reinforced  by  two  Stokes  mortars  and  one  37-mm.  gun,  with  the 
necessary  personnel  therefor.  The  Headquarters  of  each  Infantry  regi- 
ment, with  its  signal  and  sapper-pioneer  sections,  will  accompany  one  of 
the  battalions  of  the  regiment  to  the  front  and  remain,  as  observers,  for 
one  ten-day  period,  at  the  Headcjuarters  of  the  French  Regiment  to  which 
the  battalion  may  be  assigned.  Similar  arrangements  will  he  made  for  the 
Headquarters  of  each  Infantry  regiment  of  the  Division. 

6.  It  is  desired  that  the  ti-oops  under  your  command  shall  serve  dur- 
ing this  tour  as  integral  parts  of  regiments  of  the  18th  French  Division. 
The  Infantry  troops  should  move  progressively  from  rear  to  front  line 
trenches  in  such  manner  as  to  become  familiar  with  all  the  phases  of  trench 
duty  performed  in  rotation  by  French  troops.  The  assignment  of  your 
troops  to  units  of  the  18th  French  Division,  for  the  purpose  of  this  tour, 
and  the  fronts  to  be  occupied  in  co-operation  with  the  French  troops,  will 
be  arranged  by  you  with  the  Commanding  General,  18th  French  Division, 
in  such  manner  as  will  be  in  complete  harmony  with  his  views  in  regards  to 
security  and  co-operation  along  the  whole  front  concerned,  but  in  no  case 
will  a  unit  of  your  command  greater  tiian  a  l)attalion  occupy  a  front  line 
sector  independently. 

7.  Ilesponsiljility  antl  commantl  will  remain  with  the  commanders  of 
French  units  to  which  the  units  of  your  command  may  be  attached.  The 
units  so  attached  will  be  commanded  by  tlieir  own  officers.  Policy  will  be 
dictated  by  the  French  commanders  towhicii  your  commander  will  conforai. 

8.  Before  entering  the  trenches  your  troops  wiU  be  made  familiar  with 
the  actual  trench  orders  pertaining  to  the  sector  to  be  occupied.  As  copies 
of  Specimens  of  British  Trench  Orders  have  been  received  from  the  War 
Department  by  individual  officers  at  these  Headquarters  it  is  assumed  that 
some  at  least  of  the  officers  of  your  Division  have  received  orders  of  this 
pamphlet. 

460  copies  of  "Notes  on   (he  Construction  and  Equipment  of 

Trenches." 
460  copies  of  "Notes  on  Grenade  Warfare,"  and 
460  Copies  of  "Notes  for  Infantry  Officers  on  Trench  Warfare" 
have  been  sent  you.    Tlic  jiamphlets  are  for  your  information  merely.    The 


FIELD   ORDERS  391 

actual  trench  orders  pertaining  to  sectors  to  he  occupied  by  your  troops  will 
govern.    Please  acknowledge  receipt. 

By  command  of  General  Pershing: 
[Signed] :  B.  A. 


Hq.  First  Division,  A.  E.  F. 
SECRET  nth  October,   1917,  4:00  p.m. 

Field  Orders 

No.  1 

1.  The  18th  French  Division  is  talcing  over  a  sector  of  the  front  line. 

2.  For  the  purpose  of  training,  .specified  units  of  the  First  Division, 
A.E.F.,  will  successively  he  attached  to  organizations  of  the  18th  French 
Division. 

3.  (a)  Artillery. — One  battalion  from  each  regiment  of  Field  Artillery 

will  proceed  by  marching  so  as  to  arrive  at  on  .     The  senior 

officer  will  command.  Each  battalion  will  be  attached  to  a  French  regi- 
ment.      After days  at    the  front,   these  three   battalions    will    be 

relieved  by  the  three  remaining  battalions. 

(6)  Infantry. — One  battalion  from  each  Infantry  Regunent  will  pro- 
ceed by  truck  to  on  .     The  battalions  of  the  1st  Brigade  will 

be  attached  to  one  French  regiment  and  the  battalions  of  the  2d  Brigade  to 
a  second  French  Regiment. 

After days  at  the  front,  these  battalions  will  be  relieved  by  two 

more  battalions  from  each  brigade;  and  after  a  similar  period,  these  bat- 
talions will  be  relieved  by  the  remaining  battalions. 

(c)  One  Ambulance  Company  and  one  Field  Hospital,  both  motorized, 
will  proceed  by  marching  so  as  to  arrive  at on . 

(d)  All  units  sent  to  the  front  will  be  attached  to  French  higher  units, 
and  will  serve  under  the  orders  and  instructions  of  the  Commanding  Officers 
of  those  units. 

(e)  The  headquarters  of  each  Infantry  and  Artillery  Regiment  will 

be  sent  to  the  front  for  a  period  of days  in  order  to  observe  the  work 

of  the  corresponding  French  Headquarters  and  of  their  own  battalions. 
They  will  not  exercise  any  command. 

(/)  Infantry  Battalion  Commanders,  Company  Commanders,  and 
two  non-commissioned  officers  per  company  will  be  sent  to  the  front  suffi- 
ciently in  advance  of  their  respective  units  to  reconnoiter  the  sectors  to  be 
occupied  and  to  rejoin  their  commands  at  least  two  days  before  they  leave 
for  the  front.  In  addition,  battalion  adjutants  and  one  lieutenant  per 
company  will  be  sent  to  the  front  about  three  days  in  advance  of  their 
battalions  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  same. 

Artillery  battalion  commanders  with  their  adjutants  and  one  officer 
per  battery  will  precede  their  organizations  to  the  front  by  aljout  two  days. 


H«.)2  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

4.  l)uiii])s  of  rations,  riHp,  revolver,  and  Stokes  mortar  ammunition 

will  lie  established  by  the  Division    Ciuartermaster  at ,  besides  the 

French  dumps.    Other  supplies,  munitions,  etc.,  will  lie  oljtained  from  the 
French  dumps. 

5.  The  Division  Commander  or  the  Brigade  Commander  will  be  at 
the  Headquarters  of  the  18th  French  T^ivision. 

Bj'  command  of  Major  General  Sibert: 
H.  E.  Ely, 


Colonel,  General  Staff, 
Chief  of  Staff. 


Official: 

Wm.  M.  Cruikshank, 

Division  Adjutant,  Adjt.  General. 


Headquarters  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

SECRET  France,  October  14,  1917. 

OPERATIONS   SECTION 

Field  Orders  No.  2. 

1.  In  conformance  with  Field  Orders  No.  1,  these  Headquarters,  the 
1st  Battalion  of  each  infantry  regiment  with  the  special  troojjs  and  material 
heretofore  attached  to  it  (less  Regimental  Detachment  of  Sapper  Pioneers) 
will  proceed  to  the  front  as  indicated  in  Tables  I  and  II  hereto  attached. 

2.  Uniform  and  equipment. — Equipment  "A"  (overcoat,  poncho  or 
raincoat,  blouse)  and  the  following  additional  articles: 

1  Ijlanket  1  helmet 

1  pair  shoes  2  gas  masks  (French  and  English) 

Officers  will  be  armed  with  i^istols. 

3.  Rations  and  forage. — 

(a)  The  troops  moving  by  automobile  truck  will  carry  a  hmch  and 
supper  and  two  days'  reserve  rations. 

(f))  The  trains  will  carry: 

1  da}''s  garrison  ration;    1  day's  reserve  rations  (for  entire  command). 

Rations  for  the  train  personnel  to  include  October  20th.  Forage  to 
include  October  21st  (as  much  hay  as  practicable). 

4.  Muniiionx. — 

Rifl(^  and  revolver:  The  jirescribed  allowance  on  the  soldier  and  in  the 
combat  wagons. 

37-mms.    The  amount  which  can  be  carried  with  one  gun. 


FIELD   ORDERS 


393 


Stokes  Moriar. — This  ammunition  will  l)e  shipped  to  a  dump  estab- 
lished by  the  Division  Quartermaster  at  Rosieres-aux-Salines. 

Other  munitions:  Will  be  provided  by  the  French  authorities,  includ- 
ing a  special  dump  of  30  caliber  rifle  and  45  pistol  ammunition. 

5.  Dumps. — The  Division  Quartermaster  will  establish  a  dump  for 
rations,  forage,  Stokes  mortar  ammunition  and  such  additional  supplies 
as  are  not  provifled  by  the  French  at  Rosieres-aux-Salines. 

Note:  The  3  wagons  of  the  regimental  baggage  and  rations  section 
are  attached  for  service  in  connecting  this  dump  with  the  distributing  point 
the  battalion  wagons  will  draw  from. 

By  command  of  Majin-  General  Sibert: 
H.  E.  Ely, 
Colonel,  (ieneral  Staff, 
Chief  of  Staff. 

Official 

Wm.  M.  Chuikshank, 

Adjutant  General, 

Division  Adjutant. 


Headquarters  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France,  October  14,  1917. 
OPERATIONS  SECTION 

TABLE  I  (Field  Order  No.  2) 


Unit 

Starting  point        Day 

Hour 

Destination 

Route 

1st  Bn. 

Baudignecourt   Oct.  20th 

7  A.  M. 

Bathelemont  As  arranged 

16th  Inf. 

1st  Bn. 

Houdelaincourt  ditto 

ditto 

Valhey 

by 

18th  Inf. 

1st  Bn. 

Boviolles             ditto 

ditto 

Serres 

French 

26th  Inf. 

1st  Bn. 

Trevaray             ditto 

ditto 

Maixe 

authorities 

28th  Inf. 

Note: 

(a)  Each  battalion  will  be 

accomp 

anicd  In'  its  pi 

roper  propor- 

tion  of  sanitary  personnel. 

(b)  Machine  guns  with  tripods,  and  Stok<'s  trench  mortars  will   be 
carried  in  the  same  transport  with  the  troops. 

(c)  Table  No.  2  gives  for  each  battaHon  the  movement  of  the  vehicles, 
and  animals  with  the  personnel  in  charge  of  same. 


394 


HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


Hea(l(iiiart('is  First  Divi.sion, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
OPERATIONS  SECTION  France,  Octoljer  14,  1917. 

TABLE  II  (Field  ( )rder  No.  2) 
MOVEMENTS   OF  BATTALION   TRAINS 


Date 

Rendezvous 

Hour 

lirmh- 

Cantonment 

tlemnrks 

Oct. 
17th 

Rosieres-en- 
Blois. 

1 1 :0() 

A.  M. 

Badonvilliers 

1st  Brig.  Sevigny 
2d  Brig.  Epiez. 

(fi)  Trains  will  march 
in  battalion  groups  at 
1    kilometer   distance. 

Oct. 
18th 

Sevigny 

S::K) 

A.  M. 

Pasn\-  la 
Blanche 
Cote-Colombey 
Crepy-Goviller 

Parey  St.  Cesire 
Houdelinont 

Iji)  Tpon  reaching  the 
cantonment  each  daj- 
the  Commander  of  the 
Trains  will  inform  by 
telephone  the  Hqrs. 
ISth  French  Div.  at 
Sommerviller  of  their 
arrival.  An  orderlj' 
will  be  posted  at  the 
telephone  at  all  times 
while  the  trains  are  in 
cantonment  to  receive 
orders  from  Headquar- 
ters. 

Oct. 
19th 

Houdelinont 

S:00 

A.  M. 

PulliRny 
Flavigny 
Tonnony 

Ville  en  Vermois 

Oct. 
20th 

ViUe  en 
Vennois 

8:00 

A.  M. 

St.  Nicholas 
du  Pont 
Sommervillpr 

1st  Bn.  16th  Inf. 

Valhey 
IstBn.  ISthlnf. 

Einville 
1st  Bn.  26th  Inf. 

Serres 
1st  Bn.  2Sth  Inf. 

Maixe 

Note. — Organization  of  each  battalion  train  will  be  as  fcjllows: 

Vehicles                          Animals  Officers       Soldiers 

28M.ri.  carts 28  1                 30 

1  one  pounder  cart 1  . .                   2 

5  combat  wagons 20  . .                 5 

4  baggage  and  rations  wagons   . .  16  . .                   7' 

4  rolling  kitchens   16  . .                  4 

3  regt.  baggage  and  ration  wagons  12  1                   5^ 

1  water  wagon 4  . .                   4 

8  horses  Bn.  Hq. 

5  horses  M.G.  Co.l 

3  mviles  M.G.  Co.  / 

4  horses,  sanitary 

A  lieutenant  from  the  supply  company  of  each  regiment  will  be  placed 
in  charge  of  the  battalion  train,  except  that  the  Supply  Officer  of  the  26th 

'  1  cook  and  2  kitchen  police  are  included. 
3Bn.  Supply  Sergeant  is  included. 


FIELD   ORDERS  395 

Infantry  will  be  detailed  for  this  duty  and  will  be  in  cliarge  of  the  consoli- 
dated battalion  trains  during  the  march  from  the  time  of  their  arrival  at 
Rosieres-en-Blois. 


Headquarters,  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France,  October  23,  1917. 
WARNING  NOTICE 
(Supplementary  to  Field  Orders  No.  1) 

1.  2d  Battalions  of  each  infantry  regiment  will  probably  leave  for 
the  front  November  1st. 

2.  Battalion  Trains  will  ]iiobably  leave  for  the  front  October  29th. 

3.  Arrangements,  routes,  destinations,  etc.,  will  probably  be  the  same 
as  for  the  1st  Battalions,  with  following  exceptions: 

1  officer  from  each  company  of  1st  Battalions  will  be  attached  to  2d 
Battalions  for  tour  at  the  front. 

2  Stokes  mortars  and  one  crew  with  the  1st  Battalions  will  be  attached 
to  the  2d  Battalions  for  tour  at  the  front. 

The  three  regimental  baggage  and  ration  wagons  now  at  the  front 
will  remain  there  and  those  additional  wagons  will  not  accompany  the 
2d  Battalion  trains  to  the  front. 

The  rolhng  kitchens,  marmites,  braziers  and  musettes  now  in  possession 
of  the  1st  Battalions  of  the  regiments  will  remain  there.  The  train  of  the 
battalions  going  to  the  front  will  take  a  rolling  kitchen  for  use  on  the  march, 
turning  it  over  to  the  returning  train  of  the  1st  Battalions. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Sibert: 
Official:  H.  E.  Ely, 

Wm.  M.  Cruikshank,  Colonel,  General  Staff, 

Adjutant  General,  Chief  of  Staff. 

Division  Adjutant. 


CONFIDENTIAL  Headquarters  First  Division, 

American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
OPERATIONS  France,  January  7,  1918. 

SECTION 

RELIEF  OF  ANSAUVILLE  SUB-SECTOR 
(Western  Part  of  Royaumeix  Sector) 
Instructions  No.  1. 

Subject:  Instructions  for  reconnaissance  of  Ansauville  Sub-sector. 
Map  references — Commercy  52,  Connnercy  69;   1/80,000. 

1.  The  First  Division,  A.E.F.,  will  relieve,  in  the  near  future,  the  left 
Brigade  of  the  Moroccan  Division  in  the  Ansauville  Sub-sector  (Western 
part  of  Royaumeix  Sector). 


llflG  HISTORY   OF  THE   FHIST   DIVISION 

II.  Roconnaissancc  officers  will  pipcodo  the  Division. 

III.  Points  to  which  special  attention  will  1)6  given  by  the  Infantry 
reconnaissance  officers. 

Colonels 

A. — General  knowledge  of  their  zone 
The   Colonels  will    effect,  with  the  assistance  of  the  corresponding 
French  Colonels: 

The  reconnaissance  of  the  terrain ; 

The  study  of  the  Plan  of  Defense  of  the  regimental  zone ; 
The   interpreter  assigned   to   each   colonel   will   translate   the   most 
important  documents  concerning  the  zone. 

During  the  studies  contemplated  al)ove,  colonels  will  give    special 
attention : 

1.  To  tlie  detailed  distribution  of  the  French  elements  in  the  sector. 

2.  To  elements  not  l)elonging  to  their  regiments  and  stationed  in  their 
zone,  especially  to  those  placed  under  their  orders; 

3.  To  the  shelters  and  cantonments  at  their  disposition  in  their  zone; 
(Make  sure  that  they  correspond  to  the  organization  and  strength  of 

units.  Consider  with  the  French  colonels  what  measures  should  be  taken 
to  shelter  any  fraction  of  organizations  not  already  provided  for — the 
Fourth  Rifle  Company  for  example.) 

4.  To  the  action  contemplated  in  case  of  attack: 

For  the  whole  of  the  zone ; 
In  each  center  of  resistance. 

5.  To  the  works  in  process  of  construction,  contemplated,  or  which 
would  be  useful  at  an  early  date. 

6.  To  the  working  of  the  supply  service: 

fin  food 
Daily  supply  •   in  water 

[  in  fuel 
Ammunition  supply 
Engineering  material  supply 

7.  To  information  concerning  Artillery: 

Plan  for  barrage; 

Plan  for  counter-preparation. 

8.  To  the  specialists    (telephonists,   machine  gunners,   etc.)     Note 
especially  the  following: 

Telephone  j  Posts  assigned  to  the  regiment 

Visual  signaling  \  Numbei-  of  men  and  material  assigned  to  each  post. 

[  Emplacements  of  flanking,  indirect  firing  and  anti- 
Machine  Guns     i      aircraft    machine    guns;     who     controls    every 

[     machine  gun  in  the  zone. 
37-mm.  guns — Em]3lacements. 
Trench  mortars— Emplacements. 


FIELD   ORDERS  397 

^,  .  f  Sites  of  main  observatories,  personnel  assigned  to 

Observatories        <  ,     ,  . 

I      each  observatory. 

_,.  /Location    of   working   places.      Number   of   men 

Pioneers  <  ■        i  ^         u 

(^     assigned  to  each. 

9.  Information  concerning  the  enemy: 
Habits. 

Dangers  of  attacks,  gas-attacks  or  raids. 
Particularly  dangerous  points. 
How  bomljardments  are  usually  carried  out;    points  especially 

bombarded;  usual  hours  of  Ijombardment. 
Means  used  by  Moroccan  Division  to  repulse  raids. 
The  study  of  the  ground,  together  with  that  of  the  Plan  of  Defense, 
will  require  the  French  and  American  Colonels  to  discuss  nearly  all  the 
questions  concerning  their  zone. 

It  is  of  special  interest  to  get  detailed  explanations,  on  the  ground  itself, 
as  to  what  the  French  colonels  and  battalion  commanders  are  required 
to  do  in  case  of  an  enemy  attack  on  the  whole  or  a  part  of  the  front  of  this 
zone. 

B.  Information  particularly  concerning  the  relief 
While  studying  the  sector  as  above  outhned  some  questions  concerning 
the  relief  will  have  already  been  dealt  with.  The  details  of  the  relief  can- 
not be  fixed  nor  agreements  entered  into  until  formal  orders  have  been  issued. 
However,  the  following  points  concerning  the  relief  should  be  kept  in  mind: 
THE  COMMANDING  OFFICER  OF  A  UNIT  BEING  RELIEVED 
DETERMINES  THE  PRELIMINARY  TACTICAL  DISPOSITIONS 
AND  ARRANGEMENTS  OF  THE  RELIEVING  UNIT,  AND  RE- 
MAINS IN  COMMAND  UNTIL  RELIEF  IS  COMPLETED. 

Route  to  be  taken  by  the  American  troops  when  taking  over  positions; 
Hour  of  departure  from  the  final  cantonments; 

Number  of  French  guides  needed  to  lead  the  American  fractions; 
places  at  which  they  should  await  the  American  units; 
Relief  of  specialists: 

Numlier  of  American  specialists  to  be  placed  on  each  post  at  the 
beginning  of  the  relief; 

Arrival  of  the  2d,  and,  if  necessary,  of  the  3d  fraction,  until  the  French 
personnel  has  been  totally  replaced  by  the  American. 

Battalion  Commanders 

Same  directions  as  for  the  colonels,  as  regards  their  centers  of  resist- 
ance, giving  special  attention : 

To  the  details  of  the  distribution  of  troops  in  their  centers,  from  a 
defensive  point  of  view. 

To  the  disposition  contemplated  in  case  of  an  enemy  attack  or  heavy 
bombardment,  action  of  counter-attacking  fractions,  falling  back  of  some 
posts  in  case  an  enemy  raid  or  attack  should  be  expected,  etc. 


3!)8 


HISTORY  OF  THE   FHIST   DIVISION 


Translation  of  priiici]):il  docunicnts  concerning  each  center  of  resist- 
ance will  be  made  by  the  interpreter  assigned  to  the  Battalion  Commander. 

(Company  Commanders 
Same  general  directions  as  for  colonels,  as  regards  their  company  areas. 

Machine  Gun  Commanders 
Same  general  directions  as  for  colonels  as  regards  their  sphere  of 
action,  including: 

Emplacements  and  firing  data  for  each  battery  or  gun; 
System  of  relief; 

Communication  l)etween  Ixitteries  or  guns  and  posts  of  command. 
IV.  Artillery  Reconnaissance  officers  will  conform  to  the  requirements 
of  par.  Ill  in  so  far  as  it  covers  their  duties.  Tiiey  will  confer  direct  with 
corresponding  French  officers  and  will  get  in  touch  with  French  Infantry 
commanders  to  obtain  any  necessary  information  as  regards  liaison  with 
the  infantry. 

By  conmiand  of  Major  General  Bullard: 
CAMPBELL  King, 
Lieut.  Col.,  Gen.  Staff, 
Chief  of  Staff. 

C.  O.  1st  Brig.  M.G.  Bn 1 

C.  G.  2d  Brig 2 

C.  O.  26th  Inf 1 

C.  O.  28th  Inf 1 

C.  O.  2d  Brig.  M.G.  Bn 1 

C.  G.  1st  Arty.  Brig 2 

C.  0.5th  F.  A 7 

C.  0.  6thF.  A 9 

C.  G.  7th  F.  A 6 

C.  O.  T.  M.  Btry 1 

C.  O.  Div.  M.G.  Bn 1 

War  Diary 1 

Capt.  Crochet 1 

Capt.  Seligmann 1 

Moroccan  Division 1 

Left  Brig.  Moroccan  Division .  1 


Distribution : 

C.  G.  Div 

C.  of  S 

Op.  Sec 

Int.  Sec 

Admin.  Sec 

Adjutant 

C.  Q.  M 

C.  Surg 

C.  E.  O 

C.  0.  0 

C.  S.  O 

G.  O 

I.  G 

C.  O.  Tn 

C.  G.  1st  Brig 2 

C.  ().  16th  Inf 12 

C.  O.  18th  Inf 12 


G-3. 
242. 

Field  Orders 
No.  14 

1.  So  much  of  Field  Orders  No.  13  as  refers  to  the  limits  of  the  sector 
to  be  taken  over  by  this  Division  and  the  details  of  the  relief  is  rescinded. 


Headquarters  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France,  April  25,  1918. 


FIELD   ORDERS  399 

2.  Sector  of  the  First  Division: 

(o)  The  Division  will  relieve; 

TheleftBn.l62dD.V....(Q"f*'^^    "^    *^^    ^^™    ^^"^ 

[     Assise. 

rpu    o  D  lu      ■  U4.    c  i  Quartier  Kenifera 

The  3  Bns.  on  the  right  of  ^       , .     m  x    • 

iu    ^rxu  T-wT  1  Quartier  Tetonan 

the  45th  D.I \^ 

[  Quartier  Casablanca 

(6)  The  Division  will  have: 

On  the  right  the  162d  D.I.— P.C.  Chateau  de  la  Borde. 

On  the  left  the  42d  D.I.  (9th  Corps)  P.C.  Ordetto 

Co-ords  44.50, 
500  meters  W. 
of  d'Esclainvillers. 

Note:  The  42d  D.I.  will  relieve  the  left  Bn.  of  the  45th  D.I. 

(c)  Limits  of  Sector: 

Northern:  Southern  fringe  of  Bois  de  I'Aval,  Northern  corner  of  Bois 
St.  Eloi,  southern  exit  of  Coullemelle  (southern  half  of  village  is  reserved 
for  cantonments  for  First  Division),  Vesigneux,  Paillart,  Esquenoy  (these 
3  villages  inclusive). 

Southern:  Courtermanche,  bend  in  road  Breteuil-Montdidier  (1600 
m.  east  of  Belle  Assise),  Bois  de  la  Longue  Haie  (northern  half  of  First 
Division),  Le  Cordonnois  (exclusive),  Plainville  (exclusive),  (except  west- 
ern suburb  for  First  Division)  La  Herelle,  Ansauvillers,  Wavinies  (these  3 
villages  exclusive) . 

Rear  zone :  Bonvillers-Maisoncelle,  Neuville  St.  Pierre,  Thieux  (same 
as  shown  on  sketch  attached  to  F.  O.  No.  13). 

3.  Distribution  of  Elements: 

(o)  The  Division  will  employ  in  the  sector: 
1st  Brigade    P.C.  Serevillers. 

1  Bn Quartier  Farm  Belle  Assise 

16th  Infantry  on  right — 1  Bn Quartier  Kenifera 

P.C.  Broyes  (  Hq.  and  2  Cos.  Broyes 

!  1  Co.  Bois  de  Villers 
J      (Northern  portion) 

I  1  Co.  Serevillers 

I  M.G.  Co.  (Broyes  (H) 
[     (Bois  de  Villers  (3^) 

18th  Infantry  on  left 
P.  C.  Villers  Tournelle 

1  Bn Quartier  Tetonan 

1  Bn Quartier  Casablanca 


100  HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 

f  Hq.,  2  Cos. 


1  Bn. 


^ 


,  ,  Villers 

M.g"co.        JTournolle 


1  Co.  Hill  124  n.w.  of 
Villers  Tournelle 
^  1  Co.  CouUcmelle 
Limit  between  regiments:   Northeastern  corner  of  Bois  de  Can- 

tigny,  nose  of  ridge  1  km.  west  of  Bois 
de  Fontaine,  Serevillers. 
Artillery  Brigade: 

3  Bns.  of  75-mm.  (reinforced  by  2  French  Bns.  228th  F.A.) 
2  Bns.  of  155-mm. 

5th  Bn.  of  Tanks  (3  batteries  Farm  Visignoiix) 
Engineers: 

1st  Bn.  1  Co.  at  disposition  of  CO.  16th  Inf.,  Broyes 

1  Co do Vz  Coullemelle 

^2  Villers  Tournelle 
1  Co.  at  disposition  of  Div.  E.O.,  Broyes 
(for  work  on  Int.  position) 
Div.  M.  G.  Bn.: 

1  Co.  (less  1  plat.) — La  Longue  Haie 
1  Co.  400  M.S.E.  of  Villers  Tournelle 
Elements  in  Corps  Reserve: 

2d  Bn.  and  M.G.  Cos.  of  2d  Brigade 
2d  Bn.  Engineers 

1  Bn.  2Gth  Inf.  and  1  M.G.  Co.  Mesnil-St.-Firmin  (less 

1  Co.  and  1  M.G.  Co.  at  Morey) 
1  Bn.  28th  Inf.  and  1  M.G.  Co.  Rocquencourt   (lessl  Co. 
at  Coullemelle). 

I  1  Co.  Rocquencourt 
2d  Bn.  Engrs.    \  1  Co.  Mesnil-St.-Firmin 
[l  Co.  Chepoix. 
(/))  The  remaining  elements  of  the  Division  will  be  stationed  in 
the  rear  zone: 

Bonvillers-Maisoncelle-Neuville-St.  Pierre-Thieux.     The  de- 
tails of  the  stations  in  this  zone  will  be  announced  later. 
Movements  of  the  Relief: 

(a)  All  movements  in  the  relief  and  into  the  rear  zone  must  be 
completed  l)y  10  a.  m.  on  April  27th. 

(b)  Infantry  and  Machine  Guns:    (Battalions  in  the  first  line  will 
be  referred  to  hereafter  as  1,  2,  3,  and  4  from  south  to  north). 

Night  of  23d-24th. 

Reconnaisance  by  officers  of  Bn.  2  and  M.G.  Cos.  of  Bns.  1 
and  3, 


FIELD   ORDERS  401 

Night  of  mh— 25th. 

Relief  of  Bns.  1  and  3. 

Reconnaissance  by  officers  of  Bn.  4  and  M.G.  Cos.  of  Bns. 
2    and    4.     (Relief    of    left    battalion  of  45th  D.I.  by  9th 
Corps  Troops.) 
Night  of  25th-26th. 

(Relief  of  Bn.  2  and  of  M.G.  Cos.  of  Bns.  1,  3,  and  4  j 
Night  of  26th-27th. 

Relief  of  Bn.  4,  and  M.G.  Co.  of  Bn.  2. 

Entry  in  sector  of  support  and  Corps  reserve  battalions  and 
M.G.  Cos. 
(c)    Artillery: 
The  relief  of  the  artillery  will  be  carried  out  by  the  Brigade  Commander 
in  conformity  with  Special  Orders  No.  47,  6th  Corps,  dated  April  23d. 
{d)  Engineer  and  Signal  Corps: 
The  entry  of  the  Engineer  and  Signal  Corps  units  into  the  sector  will 
be  arranged  for  by  the  Division  Engineer  and  the  Division  Signal  Officer, 
after  agreement  with  the  chief  of  those  services  of  the  45th  and  162d  D.Is. 
(e)    Sanitary  Units: 
The  establishments  of  the  sanitary  units  in  the  sector  will  be  arranged 
for  by  the  Division  Surgeon  after  agreement  with  the  chief  of  that  service 
with  the  45th  and  162d  D.Is. 

5.  Taking  Over  of  Command: 

(a)  Bns.  1  and  3— 26th  April  at  10  a.  m. 
Bns.  2  and  4— 27th  April  at  10  a.  m. 
(C.O.s.  of  Bns.  1,  2,  and  3  will  be  installed  at  their  P.C.'s  on  the  morn- 
ing following  the  entry  into  the  line  of  their  last  rifle  company.    The  com- 
manders of  corresponding  French  battalions  will  be  relieved: 
Bns.  1  and  3— 26th  April  at  10  a.  m. 
Bn.  2— 27th  April  at  10  a.  m. 
(6)   The  Division,  Artillery  Brigade,  Infantry  Brigade  and  Infan- 
try regimental  commanders  will  assume  command  on  27th 
April  at  10  a.  m. 
The  Division  and  Brigade  commanders  will  be  installed  at  their 
P.C.'s  on  26th  of  April  at  10  a.  m. 

6.  Special  Report: 

The  Commanding  Generals,  1st  Brigade  and  1st  Artillery  Brigade,  the 
Division  Engineer  Officer,  the  Division  Surgeon  and  the  CO.,  Div.  M.G. 
Bn.,  will  submit  to  these  headquarters  hy  8A.M.  April  27th  a  sketch  show- 
ing dispositions  of  all  units  under  their  command  at  10  a.  m.  that  date. 
(Units  down  to  company  and  battalions  will  be  shown  as  disposed  on  the 
morning  of  27th  April.) 

By  command  of  Major  General  Bullard : 
Campbell  King, 
Distribution.  Chief  of  Staff. 


402  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

G-3     VERY   SECRET  •  Headquarters  First  Division, 

American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
379.  France,  May  20,  1918. 

Field  Orders 

No.  18.  OPERATION  AGAINST   CANTIGNY 

1.  An  operation  will  be  carried  out  by  this  Division  on  J  day  (to  be 
announced  later)  ha\ang  for  its  object  the  capture  of  Cantigny  and  the 
carrying  of  our  front  up  to  the  general  line.  Co-ords  21.21. — corner  of 
orchard  24.19  east  of  the  groups  of  houses  at  Co-ord  26.13 — Co-ord  25.09 — 
then  to  our  present  line. 

To  the  north  of  Co-ords  21.21  the  attack  will  Ije  pushed  forward  to  the 
enemy's  trench  system  in  the  head  of  the  ravine  in  the  region  of  Co-ords 
19.25,  which  will  be  cleaned  up. 

According  as  to  whether  tlie  9th  Corps  decides  to  prolong  our  front 
of  attack  by  carrying  its  Une  forward  to  the  Cantigny-La  Chapelle-St. 
Aignan  road  or  will  support  the  attack  by  artillery  fire  only,  the  elements 
which  have  to  clean  up  the  trenches  in  the  region  of  Co-ords  19.25  will  be 
finally  established  on  the  line  Co-ords  21.21. — 1827  or  brought  back  to  the 
hne  Co-ords  21.25 — 15.25.  (The  final  objective  for  this  portion  of  the  Une 
will  be  announced  after  agreement  with  the  9th  Corps.) 

The  28th  Infantry  is  charged  with  the  execution  of  the  operation. 

2.  Scheme  of  Maneuver — Zones  of  Action — Objectives  (see  attached 
sketch) : 

The  attack  will  be  carried  out  by  3  battalions. 

In  the  center,  Bn.  B  supported  by  one  group  of  tanks  (12),  will  attack 
Cantigny  from  the  west  and  north.  The  right  of  this  battalion  will  advance 
straight  through  the  village  overcoming  any  resistance  en  route.  The  left 
of  this  battahon  will  march  direct  to  its  final  objective,  without  regard 
to  any  fluctuations  of  the  fighting  in  Cantigny.  The  support  and  reserve 
elements  in  the  rear  of  Co.  B/2  will  have  to  execute  a  turn  to  the  right 
(south)  on  the  village  of  Cantigny  for  the  primary  purpose  of  covering 
the  advance  of  the  units  operating  to  the  north  of  Cantigny  and  then  to 
overcome  by  outflanking  or  encirchng  maneuvers  any  resistance  which 
may  be  found  existing  in  the  village. 

Oil  the  left,  Bn.  C  starting  from  the  region  north  of  the  clump  of  trees, 
Co-ords  15.19,  will  establish  itself  on  the  assigned  objectives  in  liaison  on 
the  left  with  the  152d  D.  I.  and  on  the  right  with  Bn.  B. 

On  the  right,  Bn.  A  with  2  Cos.  (A/2  and  A/3),  advancing  east,  will 
insure  the  cleaning  up  of  the  southern  portion  of  Cantigny  and  the  slopes 
and  ravines  to  the  south,  continuing  to  their  final  objective.  Co.  A/1 
starting  from  the  eastern  tip  of  the  Bois  de  Cantigny  will  insure  connection 
between  Co.  A/2  and  the  Bois  de  Cantigny. 

The  attack  will  be  launched  in  the  early  morning  (H  hour  to  be  deter- 
mined later)  after  a  short  (1  hour)  but  very  violent  artillery  preparation. 


FIELD   ORDERS  403 

3.  Machine  Guns,  37-mm.  Guns,  Stokes  Mortars: 

Each  attacking  battalion  will  be  accompanied  by  a  machine  gun 
company. 

A  later  order  will  fix  the  number  of  Stokes  mortars  to  be  attached  to 
the  28th  Infantry  for  this  operation.  Each  company  will  be  provided  with 
the  necessary  means  to  overcome  machine  guns  which  may  be  encountered. 

Machine  gun  batteries  for  indirect  fire  will  be  established  to  co-operate 
with  the  artillery  in  the  neutralization  of  zonesof  observatories  and  machine 
guns  during  the  attack  and  to  sweep  the  approaches  for  possilDle  hostile 
counter-attacks  launched  after  the  capture  of  the  final  objective.  Later 
orders  will  be  issued  on  this  subject. 

//..  Artillery  (see  plan  of  Employment) : 

The  divisional  artillery  is  charged  with  the  following  missions: 

(a)  Before  the  Attack: 

Preliminary  -preparation:  During  the  last  few  days  preceding  the 
attack  the  slow  and  methodical  fire  of  destruction  already  begun  on 
Cantigny  will  be  completed  by  the  long  heavy  artillery  (220's  and  280's) 
placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Division.  Attempts  will  be  made  to  destroy 
the  principal  caves  of  the  village  (see  sketch  of  May  9th).  In  order  to 
avoid  disclosing  our  intentions  the  firing  directed  on  Cantigny  will  be 
supplemented  by  similar  destructions  carried  out  on  other  portions  of  the 
front  such  as:  Chateau  500  meters  west  of  Fontaine  sous  Montdidier, 
Fontaine  sous  Montdidier,  hostile  batteries,  etc. 

Immediate  preparations:  On  J  day  from  H—  1  hr.  to  H  hour  violent 
preparation  of  trench  mortar,  howitzer  and  light  artillery  will  he  carried 
out  on  the  zone  of  attack  and  on  points  selected  for  diversions. 

(b)  During  the  Attack: 

Rolling  barrage  preceding  the  advance. 

Neutralization  fire  on  ground  commanding  the  zone  of  attack : 

Northern  portion  of  park  of  Chateau  500  meters  west  of  Fontaine 
sous  Montdidier; 

Crest  Co-ords  29.06— Grove  Co-ords  31.10; 

Region  of  Elevation  104 ; 

Ridge  of  Bois  de  Lalval; 

Ridge  600  meters  southeast  of  La  Folic  Farm ; 

Bois  de  Voyeux  and  northern  end  of  plateau  south  of  Fontaine 
sous  Montdidier. 
Interdiction  fire  on  probable  routes  for  counter-attacks: 

Western  end  of  Bois  de  Framicourt ; 

Western  exit  of  Fontaine  sous  Montdidier. 

(c)  After  the  Attack: 

During  the  first  moments  after  arrival  of  the  infantry  on  the  final 
objective,  the  artillery  will  maintain  its  barrage  neutraUzation  and  inter- 
diction fire  as  during  attack. 


11)4  HISTORY   OF  TUE  FIRST  DIVISION 

Later  oil,  ovciitual  fire  of  counter-preparation  and  interdiction  in 
case  counter-attacks  are  expected. 

5.  Counter-Battery: 

The  Corps  artillery  is  chargctl  with  the  neutralization  of  enemj^ 
batteries.  It  will  open  fire  at  H  minus  2  hrs.  or  H  minus  3  hrs.  and  will 
continue  its  neutralization  fire  until  the  end  of  the  operation.  Throughout 
the  whole  of  J  daj^  and  the  following  days  it  will  he  ready  to  intervene  in 
case  of  violent  enemy  artillery  reaction  on  the  conquered  position. 

6.  Tanks: 

1  CJroup  of  tanks  (12)  will  support  the  attack.  It  will  operate  from 
the  north  of  Cantigny  in  liaison  with  Bn.  B.  The  use  of  the  tanks  will 
be  covered  in  later  instructions. 

7.  Aviation: 

Infantry  Planes;  Durmg  the  operation  1  (or  2)  infantry  planes  will 
follow  the  progress  of  the  attack  and  will  detennino  the  staking  out  of  the 
line.  Lines  will  be  staked  out  by  the  infantrj'  upon  reaching  the  final 
objective  at  H  plus  45  mins.,  and  at  every  demand  of  the  infantry  planes. 

Command  Balloons:  The  Division  balloon  will  insure,  in  addition  to 
the  eventual  missions  of  the  artillery  with  which  it  may  be  charged,  the 
mission  of  "Command  balloon."  It  will  transmit  to  the  Division  all  infor- 
mation received:  the  location  of  the  Kne  staked;  all  optical  communica- 
tions from  P.C.'s,  etc. 

Miscellaneous  Missions  (fighting,  observation  of  battlefield,  artillery) : 

The  missions  of  the  fighting  planes  will  be  regulated  by  the  Corps. 

The  battlefield  must  be  actively  observed  on  J  day  and  the  probable 
assembly  zones  for  counter-attack  elements: 

Bois  de  Lalval,  Bois  de  Framicourt  and  ravine  between  these  two 
woods. 

Plateau  east  and  south  of  Elevation  104. 

Ravine  of  Fontaine  sous  Montdidier. 

The  missions  of  the  artillery  planes  will  be  arranged  by  agreement 
between  the  Chief  of  the  Corps  Aeronautical  Service  and  the  Commanding 
General,  Artillery  Brigade. 

8.  Engineers: 

}/2  section  of  sappers  and  pioneers  from  Co.  "A,"  1st  Engineers, 
supplied  with  moliile  charge,  will  be  assigned  to  each  of  the  companies 
charged  with  cleaning  up  Cantigny  (Cos.  A  '3,  B  1  and  B '4). 

9.  Flame-Throwers  (Elements  Schiltz) : 

]/2  platoon  of  flame-throwers  will  be  distributed  among  Cos.  A/3, 
B/1  and  B  'A. 

10.  Time  Tables  (see  sketch  of  artillery  barrages). 

H  minus  2  hr.  (or  3  hr.).    Start  of  neutralization  fire  on  hostile  artillery. 
H  mimis  1  hr.    Start  of  preparation  and  diversion  fire. 
H  minus  3  mins.    Start  of  75-mm.  barrage. 


FIELD   ORDERS  405 

H  hr.  Start  of  the  attack.  Lifting  of  barrago  and  advance  of  infantry  at 
the  rate  of  100  metei'S  in  2  minutes  up  to  the  final  objective  for  the 
left  (northern)  units  and  up  to  the  line  X,  X',  X"  and  X'"  for  the 
center  and  right  units. 

From  the  line  X,  X',  X"  and  X'"  the  rate  of  advance  of  the  bar- 
rage and  of  the  infantry  will  be  100  meters  in  4  minutes  up  to  the  final 
objective.  The  change  of  rate  of  advance  of  the  barrage  on  the  above 
X  line  will  necessitate  a  short  infantry  halt  (about  2  minutes)  on 
that  line. 

H  plus  35  minutes  (approximately).  The  infantry  will  reach  the  final 
objective. 

H  plus  4o  mins.     Staking  out  of  the  final  objective  attained  by  the  infantry. 

H  plus  4.5  m-ins.  to  H  plus  1  hr.  15  mins.  Continuation  of  barrage  and 
neutralization  fire  to  cover  the  organization  of  the  conquered  terrain. 

H  phis  1  hr.  15  mins.  The  artillery  will  commence  to  decrease  its  rate  of 
barrage  and  neutralization  fire  and  will  finally  cease  firing,  remaining 
ready  to  act  on  demand. 

11.  Special  Instruction  for  the  Infantry: 

The  first  wave  of  infantry  will  follow  the  barrage  as  closely  as  jjossible. 

The  infantry  will  direct  its  march  by  reference  points  distinctly  visible 
on  the  ground.  In  addition,  officers  and  section  chiefs  will  be  provided 
with  compasses  and  in  case  other  means  fail  will  conduct  the  advance  on 
their  objectives  by  compass  bearings. 

12.  Post  of  Command:  Observation  Stations. 

Initial  P.  C.  Subsequent  P.  C. 

C.  O.  28th  Infantry        Bois  des  Glands  de  Villers    

C.  O.  Bn.  A  Vicinity  of  quarry  Vicinity  of  sunken  road 

Co-ords  12.14.  S.  W.  of  Cantigny. 

C.  O.  Bn.  B  East  of  Bois  St.  Eloi        Northern  position  of  Can- 

near  Co-ords  12.16.  tigny. 

C.  0.  Bn.  C.  Vicinity  of  Co-ords  11.18  Clump   of   trees   at    Co- 

ords 12.1.5. 
Division  Command  Observation  Post:   N.  W.  Corner  of  Bois  de  Cantigny. 

13.  Additional  Instructions: 
Issued: 

Plan  of  movements  preparatory  to  operation  (see  Memo  G-3,  385.) 
Plan  of  training  of  troops  (see  Memo  G-3,  392.) 

Plan  of  offensive  organization  of  the  ground.     Instructions  No.  31, 
G-3,  365  as  modified  by  Memorandum,  G-3,  393. 
To  be  issued: 

Preliminary  dispositions. 
Artillery  Barrage  Table. 
Organization  of  conquered  position. 
Equipment  of  troops  for  attack. 


Annex 

1. 

Annex 

2. 

Annex 

3. 

Annex 

4. 

40t)  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


Plan  of  Employment  of  artillery. 

Machine  guns,  Stokes  mortars  and  37-min.  guns. 

Tanks. 

Aviation. 

Plan  of  liaison. 

Plan  of  communication,  supplies  and  evacuation. 

By  Command  of  Major  General  Bullard: 
C.\MPBELL  King, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


Annex 

5. 

Annex 

6. 

Annex 

/v 

/ . 

Annex 

8. 

Annex 

.9. 

Annex 

10. 

G-3  Headquarters  First  Division, 

694  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  July  16,  1918. 
Field  Orders 
No.  27. 
Map  References:    1/20,000  (furnished  by  G-3  to  combatant  units). 

1/20,000  with  zones  (furnished  by  G-2  to  most  in- 
terested units). 
1/80,000  Soissons. 

1.  The  10th  Army  attacks  in  direction  of  Fere-en-Tardenois. 

2.  The  20th  Corps  participates  in  this  attack. 

3.  The  First  Division  participates  in  this  attack  under  orders  of  20th 
Corps.  It  has  on  its  right  the  1st  Moroccan  Division,  on  its  left  another 
French  Division  of  the  1st  Corps. 

4.  The  zone  of  action  of  the  Division  is  limited  as  follows: 
Southern  Limits — Reservoir  1500  meters  southeast  of  Mortefontaine — 

north  edge  of  Bois  Vauberon — Ru  de  St.  Aignan  ou  de  Retz — 
(stream  bed  to  road  crossing  south  of  Coeuvres) — elevation  point 
162 — old  trenches  and  wire  running  we.st — east  to  crossing  of  roail 
400  meters  north  of  La  Glaux  Fme.  (trench  included) — along  same 
trench  system  to  crossing  of  road  300  meters  north  of  Cravan^on 
Fme.  (trench  included) — road  crossing  500  meters  northeast  of 
Chaudun  (trench  system  excluded). 

Northern  Limits — Fme.  de  Pouy  (included) — along  trench  to  Laversine 
(included) — wood  at  head  of  ravine  1200  meters  north-east  of 
Cutry  (included)  — •  Raperie  (included)  —  Mont  Plaisir  Fme. 
(included) — Paris  to  Soissons  road  2000  meters  northeast  of  Cra- 
vangon  Fme. 

Objectives: 

1st:  Road  running  east  of  north  through  La  Glaux  Fme. — Tilleul 

de  la  Glaux. 
2d :    Eastern  side  of  ravine  eastof  Mont  Plaisir  Fme. — eastern  edge 

of  Missy-aux-Bois — eastern  edge  of  Cravangon  Fme. 
3d:    Paris  to  Soissons  road  at  northern  sector  limits — eastern 
edge  of  Chaudun. 


FIELD   ORDERS  407 

5.  The  attack  will  he  on  J  clay  at  H  hour,  to  bo  announced  later. 
There  will  be  no  artillery  preparation.  The  attack  will  be  covered  by  a 
rolling  barrage  and  dense  artillery  covering  fire. 

6.  The  1st  objective  will  be  organized  as  soon  as  taken,  and  held  by 
units  of  first  Une  battalions  with  machine  guns  to  further  the  advance. 

The  second  objective  will  be  organized  and  held  in  like  manner  by 
remainder  of  1st  line  battalions. 

2d  line  battalions  will  pass  through  1st  line  battalions  at  2d  objective 
and  will  take  and  hold  3d  objective,  pushing  out  reconnoitering  parties  to 
feel  the  enemy  and  if  possible  continuing  the  advance. 

7.  Interior  limits  between  Brigades — north  edge  of  Vauberon  Fme. — 
north  edge  of  Le  Murger  Fme. — north  edge  of  Min  Saulon — south  edge  of 
Cutry-Tilleul  de  la  Glaux — north  edge  of  Missy-aux-Bois — head  of  ravine 
southwest  of  Ploisy. 

Interior  limits  between  regiments  in  brigades  indicated  on  map  fur- 
nished by  G-2  to  most  interested  units,  approximately  middle  of  brigade 
zones. 

8.  Infantry: 

Normal  formation;  brigades  abreast,  regiments  abreast  and  echeloned 
in  depth  with  1st,  2d  and  3d  line  battahons.  Interior  3d  line  battalions 
brigade  reserve.    Exterior  3d  line  battalions,  Division  Reserve. 

Original  emplacements  of  battalions:  1st  and  2d  line  battalions  on 
east  side  of  Ru  de  Retz.  The  wooded  ravine  north  of  Cutry  will  not  be 
used  for  emplacement  of  troops  as  it  is  full  of  yperite  and  badly  shelled. 

3cl  line  battalions  on  west  side  of  ravine  east  of  Riverseau  Fme.  and 
ravine  of  Ru  de  Retz.  Both  ravines  are  badly  shelled.  At  H  hour  reserves 
will  move  forward,  picking  unshelled  passages  across  ravines,  and  take 
position  east  of  jumping-off  line.  After  departure  of  the  2d  line  battalions 
from  2d  objective,  3d  line  battalions  will  move  forward  and  take  station 
just  east  of  road  Glaux  Fme.  to  Tilleuil  de  la  Glaux.  Combat  troops  will 
maintain  liaison  to  the  flank. 

9.  Artillery: 

The  Divisional  artillery,  as  reinforced,  will  protect  the  movement. 
Reinforcements : 
253d  R.A.C.P. 

1  sub-groupement  (105's)  to  be  furnished  later  by  General 

commanding  20th  Corps  Artillery. 

The  75-mm.  batteries  will  furnish  a  rolling  barrage  to  cover  advance 

to  1st  objective  and  consolidation.     The  cadence  of  the  barrage  will  be 

100  meters  in  three  ininutes.     It  will  halt  for  fifteen  minutes  beyond  1st 

objective. 

After  15  minutes  all  available  artillery  will  cover  the  advance  of  the 
infantry  to  the  2d  objective  at  the  initial  cadence.  It  will  rest  in  front  of 
the  2d  olijective  for  45  minutes,  and  then  cover  advance  at  initial  cadence 
to  3d  objective  and  cease. 


408  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

The  75-nmi.  hattcrips,  being  unable  to  cover  the  movement  to  the 
2d  objective,  will  move  forward  to  positions  where  they  will  be  able  to 
protect  further  advance  of  their  infantry.  One  battalion  of  Divisional 
75-nun.  will  be  assigned  to  act  with  the  Infantrj  in  each  regimental  zone. 

The  1.55-mm.  will  pay  special  attention  to  the  ravine  north  of  Missy- 
aux-Bois,  but  otherwise  will  endeavor  especially  to  protect  the  advance  of 
the  1st  Rrigade,  which  has  the  most  important  position. 

10.  Tanks: 

1  groupement  (4  groups  of  3  batteries  of  4  tanks)  will  br  used  with 
the  infantry.    Fvu'ther  orders  will  issue. 

11.  Engineers: 

1  company  will  be  put  at  disposition  of  each  Commanding  (JenerMl, 
Infantry  Brigades,  and  rejiorted  to  him. 

4  companies  under  command  of  Commanding  Officer,  1st  Engineers, 
will  be  Division  Reserve  in  valley  west  of  Mortefontaine,  liaison  officer  at 
Division  P.C. 

12.  Machine  Guns: 

1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion  in  Division  Reserve  en  route  in  ravine 
north  and  east  of  Mortefontaine,  liaison  officer  at  Division  P.C.  All  other 
machine  guns  attached  to  battalions. 

13.  Special  Orders  for  Infantry  Battalion  Commanders  in  Division 
Reserve  will  conform  to  normal  attack  formation  and  follow  in  regimental 
zones,  liaison  officers  at  Division  P.C. 

14.  Posts  of  Command: 

Unit                                  Initial  Final 

20th  C.A.  and  Arty.       Retheuil  Montgobert 

of  C.A. 

3d  Corps,  A.E.F.             Taillefontaine  Advance  representative 

at  Montgobert 

1st  Div.  F.A.  Brig.         Mortefontaine  Coeuvres 

1st  Div.  Moroccan          Vivieres  St.  Pierre  Aigle 

1st  Inf.  Brig.                    Dug-out  on  trail  400  To    ])C    determined    and 

meters  southeast  of  reported  later — along 

Le  Murger  Fme.  Trench  de  la  Olaux 

2d  Inf.  Brig.                     Dug-out  on  trail  600  To    be    detei'mined    and 

m.eastof  Riverseau  reported  later  —  along 

Fme.  line  Cutry-Raperie 

15.  Liaison: 

Axis  of  liaison — Mortefontaine-Coeuvres  road,  thence  Trench  dc  la 
Glaux. 

Orders  will  be  issued  later. 

16.  Supply  and  Evacuation: 
Orders  will  be  issued  from  G-1. 


FIELD   ORDERS  409 

17.  General  Instructions: 

(Jur  front  line  runs  from  Fme.  de  la  Glaux  at  Co-ord.  0115  to  Tranchee 
I'Armee  at  Co-ord.  0840. 

Troops  will  be  so  placed  that  the  first  wave  will  cross  the  front  line 
at  H  hour. 

Surprise  is  the  essential  factor  in  this  operation.  There  must  be  no 
preliminary  reglage  from  new  positions.  There  must  be  no  indiscreet 
exposure  of  personnel  or  indiscreet  telephone  conversations. 

Shell  holes  west  of  jumping-off  trenches  have  been  yperited  and  must 
be  avoided.  Ru  de  Retz  has  Ijeen  yperited  and  must  not  l>e  forded.  Troops 
forming  up  east  of  Ru  de  Retz  must  be  in  position  by  1 :  50  a.  m.,  if  possible, 
as  the  I'avines  are  shelled  nightly  at  that  hour.  There  is  good  water,  spring, 
south  of  church  in  Cutry. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
Campbell  King, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


G-3.  Headquarters  First  Division, 

717.  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

Field  Orders  France,  July  19,  1918. 

No.  28 

1.  The  10th  Army  attacks  this  morning  at  4  a.  m. 

2.  The  Moroccan  Division  on  our  right  holds  a  jjosition  somewhere 
close  to  the  railroad.  The  153d  Division  on  our  left  holds  a  position  some- 
where on  the  Paris-Soissons  road. 

3.  In  liaison  with  flanking  divisions  the  First  Division  will  take  and 
hold  the  line  Buzancy  (exclusive)  to  Berzy  le  Sec  (exclusive).  This  line 
will  be  consolidated  to  resist  counter-attack  and  cover  the  left  flank  of 
the  Corps. 

4.  Interior  limits  between  Brigades — South  end  of  pond  south  of 
Aconin  Fme. 

5.  Infantry: 

The  position  of  our  infantry  is:  2d  Brigade  has  attained  2d  objective; 
1st  Brigade  has  attained  final  ol;)jective  prescril^ed  for  yesterday. 

Same  distribution  of  troops  as  for  yesterday.  The  battalion  in  Divi- 
sion Reserve  will  not  move.  Rate  of  march  100  meters  in  3  minutes.  The 
2d  Brigade  will  move  forward  along  its  axis  of  yesterday  until  it  attains 
the  line  of  the  1st  Brigade.  Both  Brigades  will  then  move  forward  on  line 
to  the  final  objective  and  consolidate. 

6.  Artillery: 

There  will  be  no  artillery  preparation.  Our  artillery  start  a  rolling 
barrage  as  at  safe  distance  before  yesterday's  third  objective.  This  bar- 
rage will  stand  for  45  minutes,  and  then  advance  at  a  rate  of  100  meters 
every  3  minutes.     It  will  respond  to  infantry  rocket  signals  as  follows: 


no  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Demand  for  artillery  barrage — six  white  stars. 

Let  us  progress  (lengthen  the  fire) — caterpillar  rocket. 
The  rolling  barrage  will  move  to  cover  the  final  objective  and  consoli- 
dation thereon.    Protective  fire  on  sensitive  points  in  advance  of  infantry 
movement. 

7.  Tanks: 

Tanks  will  act  with  infantry.  The  infantry  should  march  behind  the 
tanks  while  they  continue  to  march  straight  ahead.  If  the  tanks  are  halted 
the  infantry  will  pass  them  and  fight  liy  themselves. 

8.  Liaison: 

Axis  of  liaison — interior  limits  between  brigades. 

9.  Division  P.C:  Quarry  500  meters  west  of  Coeuvres. 

10.  S-pedal  InstrucHon: 

The  battalion  of  the  28th  Infantry  in  the  Division  Reserve  is  put  at 
the  disposal  of  the  Commanding  General,  2d  Brigade.  It  will  move  at 
his  orders.  The  battalion  of  18th  Infantry  in  Division  Reserve  will  remain 
at  Dommiers.  Liaison  officer  will  be  sent  to  Division  P.C.  Availing  itself 
of  such  help  as  it  may  get  from  the  tanks  and  the  rolling  barrage,  our 
infantry  must  advance  and  take  and  hold  the  final  objective. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
Campbell  King, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


G-3  Headquarters  First  Division, 

721  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  July  20,  1918. 
Memorandum  for  Commanding  Generals,  Infantry  Brigades. 
Subject:  Attack  on  Bercy-le-Sec  and  straightening  of  line. 

1.  The  Corps  has  ordered  this  Division  to  take  and  hold  Berzy-le-Scc. 

2.  The  attack  will  be  delivered  at  2:00  p.  m.  for  the  purpose  of  taking 
this  town  and  the  heights  to  the  north.  At  the  same  time  the  positions 
of  both  Brigades  will  be  straightened  so  as  to  form  the  Division  on  the 
general  front,  Berzy-le-Sec-Buzancy. 

3.  Close  liaisons  with  the  153d  Division  on  the  left  and  the  Moroccan 
Division  on  the  right  must  be  maintained  at  all  times. 

4.  Troops: 

Infantry: 
2d  Battalion   18th  Inf.  Division  Reserve,  S.  W.  of  Ploisy  ravine  on 
Missy-Ploisy  road   is  put  under  the  orders  of  the  Commanding  General, 
2d  Brigade,  for  use  in  the  taking  of  Berzy-le-Sec. 
Artiller]); 
The    artillery    will    deliver    strong    and    powerful    preparations   for 
two  (2)  hours  before  the  assault.     A  barrage  will  stand  from  1:15  to  2:00 
p.  M.  on  line  8415-8406  (W.  of  Berzy).    At  2:00  p.  m.  it  will  advance  at  the 


FIELD   ORDERS  411 

rate  of  a  Inindred  meters  every  four  minutes  to  line  9215-9806  (E.  of  Berzy). 
The  barrage  will  stand  there  one  hour. 
Aviation: 
A  plane  will  fly  over  the  field  and  stake  out  the  infantry  positions. 
Panels  must  be  displayed  when  called  for  by  one  si.x-star  rocket  when 
shown  by  aeroplane.    If  the  position  of  the  infantry  is  definitely  known  it 
can  always  be  protected  by  artillery. 

5.  After  the  advance  today  each  Brigade  Commander  will  draw  out  of 
the  first  line  antl  constitute  a  brigade  I'eserve  of  at  least  one  battalion  com- 
posed of  ti-oops  who  have  suffered  least. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Suminerall: 
Campbell  King, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


G-3  Headquarters  First  Division, 

Field  Orders  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

No.  29.  France,  July  20,  1918. 

1.  The  10th  Army  attacks  tomorrow  morning  at  4:45  a.  m. 

2.  The  Moroccan  Division,  on  our  right,  holds  Bois  Gearard.  It  will 
be  relieved  tonight  by  a  new  division.  The  153d  Division,  on  our  left, 
holds  trenches  in  the  vicinity  of  Farme  de  Mt.  de  Courmelles.  It  will  be 
relieved  tonight  by  the  69th  Division. 

3.  In  liaison  with  flanking  divisions,  the  1st  Division  will  attack  in 
the  zones  indicated  on  map  attached. 

4.  Interior  liaison  between  brigades  and  regiments — see  map  attached. 

5.  Infantry: 

The  position  of  our  infantry  is  as  indicated  by  blue  lines  on  attached 
map.  If  there  are  any  elements  in  advance  of  these  lines  they  should  be 
withdrawn  during  the  night  to  avoid  artillery  fire.  Same  distribution  of 
troops  as  in  F.  O.  No.  28.  The  2d  Battalion,  18th  Infantry,  will  be  in 
Division  Reserve  and  will  not  be  moved  until  further  orders.  All  other 
elements  in  Division  Reserve  will  not  move  until  further  orders.  Rate 
of  march:  100  meters  in  3  mins.  Halt  at  1st  objective  1  hour.  (Note  for 
1st  Brigade.)    Left  protected  by  artillery  fire. 

Special  Instructions  for  1st  Brigade: 

It  will  follow  the  rolling  barrage  and  advance  to  first  objective  in 
liaison  with  the  French  Division  on  its  right.  The  barrage  will  stand  in 
front  of  the  fii-st  objective  for  one  hour.  After  the  first  objective  there  will 
be  no  rolling  barrage.  The  colonels  commanding  regimental  zones  will 
conform  their  advance  on  the  advance  of  neighboring  divisions  so  as  to 
maintain  constant  liaison  at  the  boundaries  of  their  zones. 

Special  Instructions  for  2d  Brigade  (note  for  1st,  2d  Brigades  and  153d) : 

It  will  not  be  accompanied  by  a  rolling  barrage.  A  powerful  artillery 
fire  for  destruction  will,  however,  be  effected  on  Berzy-le-Sec,  and  neigh- 


412  HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

boring  ravines.  At  8:30  a.  m.  this  fire  will  lift  and  the  Brigades  will  advance 
and  occupy  the  ground  outflanked  by  neighboring  troops,  establishing 
liaison  at  the  1st  objective  with  troops  on  its  flank.  After  the  advance  of 
the  09th  Division  and  the  1st  Brigade  has  completely  disengaged  its  front, 
the  2d  Brigade  will  pass  into  Division  Reserve.  It  will  be  re-formed  in 
equivalent  regimental  zones  of  the  1st  Brigade  and  conform  to  the  move- 
ments of  that  Brigade  at  2  kilometers  distance. 

Regimental  commanders  will  command  in  the  zones  from  right  to 
left  as  follows:  18th  Infantry;  16th  Infantry;  26th  Infantry;  and  the 
28th  Infantry.  All  reorganizations  possible  without  exhau.sting  or  expos- 
ing troops  will  be  effected  tonight.  A  complete  reorganization,  however, 
will  not  be  attempted,  and  each  Regimental  commander  will  command  all 
troops  not  specifically  excepted  now  in  his  zone. 

6.  Artillery: 

There  wiU  be  no  artillery  preparations.  The  artillery  will  fire  a  rolling 
barrage  for  the  1st  Brigade.  On  arrival  of  troops  at  first  objective  standing 
barrage  will  be  fired  in  front  of  first  objective  for  one  hour  to  protect  con- 
solidation.   It  will  respond  to  infantry  signals  as  follows: 

Demand  for  Artillery  Barrage — 6  white  stars. 

Let  us  progress;   lengthen  the  fire — Caterpillar  rocket. 

7.  Liaison: 

Competent  liaison  will  be  maintained  on  zone  limits  throughout. 

8.  Airialion: 

Spad  42  will  furnish  artillery  planes  for  counter-battery  work,  and 
an  Infantry  plane  which  will  follow  the  infantry  advance  and  stake  out 
the  lines  at  the  first  objective  or  on  demand.  Infantry  must  respond  to 
aviation  signal  for  staking  out,  which  is  six  white  stars. 

9.  Division  P.  C: 

Provisionally — Quarry  500  meters  west  of  Cceuvres. 

10.  Special  Instructions  for  Division  Reserve: 

Division  Reserve  will  remain  in  place  until  further  orders.  Enemy 
artillery  may  be  active  tomorrow.  155's  will  be  usetl  for  counter-battery 
in  liaison  with  aviation. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Sinnmerall: 
Campbell  King, 

Chief  of  Staff. 
Distribution: 

1st  Inf.  Brig 5  G-2 1 

2d  Inf.  Brig 5  G-3 1 

Arty.  Brig 5  20th  C.  A 1 

1st  M.G.  Bn 1  Division  on  right ...    1 

D.  E.  0 1  C.  of  S 1 

D.  S.  0 1  Spad  42 1 

G-1 1 


FIELD   ORDERS  413 

G-3     SECRET  Headquarters  First  Division, 

7G0  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  August  3,  1918. 
Field  Orders 

No.  32. 
Map  reference  1/80,000:  Commercy-Nancy. 

1.  This  Division  will  relieve  the  2d  Moroccan  Division  in  this  sector 
of  Saizerais  commencing  tomorrow,  August  4,  1918. 

2.  The  Division  will  be  disposed  in  the  sector  after  relief  approxi- 
mately as  follows: 

Infantry: 

_  .      ,       . ,    ,       .  ,     f  1st  Brig,  on  left,  P.C.  Martincourt. 
Brigades  side  by  side  \  ^  ,  r,  ■  ■  i  ^   r,  r^  r^  ■ 

^  -^  (2d  Brig,  on  right,  P.C.  Gnscourt. 

Each  brigade  having  its  regiments  side  by  side  will  have: 
2  battalions  on  the  position  of  surveillance, 
2  battalions  on  the  position  of  resistance, 
1  battalion  in  support  of  position  of  resistance  and  close  to  that 

position, 
1   battalion   in   Army  Reserve,   close   to  the   barrage   position 
(Francheville  and  Ville-St.-£tienne). 

„  .     j  16th  Inf.:  St.  Jacques 

\  18th  Inf. :  Camp  de  Jonc  Fontaine 


P.C.'s  of 
regiments 


,  _  .     J 28th  Inf.:   Camp  de  Jonc  Fontaine 
\26th  Inf.:  Carrieres  de  Jezainville 


Artillery; 

Ws 


6  Btrys.  of  Division  Artillery 
3  Btrys.  Groups  of  247th  French  Artillery 
155's— 2  Bns.  5th  F.  A. 


3.  (a)  It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  the  relief  be  concealed  from 
aerial  observation.  To  this  end  all  circulation  must  be  restricted  as  far 
as  possible.  All  relief  movements  in  the  advance  zone  must  be  made 
at  night.  Circulation  of  small  groups  must  follow  defiladed  routes.  Relief 
in  the  first  line  must  be  made  without  noi.se. 

(6)  The  relief  of  the  Engineer  Units,  Division  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
Sanitary  Units,  etc.,  will  be  made  approximately  at  the  same  time  as  the 
infantry.    Further  orders  on  this  subject  will  be  issued. 

(c)  The  colonel  commanding  the  artillery  of  the  32d  C.  A.  is  charged 
with  arranging  the  artillery  relief.    Further  orders  will  issue. 

4.  The  following  preliminary  movements  will  be  made: 
Preliminary  Movements  of  the  Units  of  the  First  Division 


H4 


HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


Organization 

laih  I II f entry 

I  Bn 

1  Bn 

1  Bn.  and  Hqrs 
18lh  Infantry 

1  Bn 

1  Bn.  and  Hqr.s. 

1  Bn 

26lh  Infantry 

1  Bn 

1  Bn 

1  Bn.  and  Hqrs. 
2Slh  Infantry 

1  Bn 

1  Bn 

1  Bn.  and  Hqr.s, 


3d  August 


4 til  August 


5th  August 


Avrainville 


Saizerais 


Avrainville 
Francheville 


Saizerais 


f'rancheville 


Camp  des  Antonistes 


Rogeville- 
Gezoncourt 


Camp  dcs  Antonistes 
ViUe  St.  Etienne 


Rogeville- 
Gezoncourt 


Ville  St.  Etienne 


Notes: 

All  movements  for  August  3cl  were  ordered  by  G-3,  758,  Memorandum, 
subject  change  of  station  of  1  battalion  of  each  Inf.  regiment  August  3d, 
1918. 

All  prescriptions  of  G-3,  758,  for  the  movement  of  units  by  marching 
and  in  trucks  on  August  3d  will  apply,  except  as  regai'ds  time  of  the  start 
of  the  movement,  to  the  units  making  the  same  march  on  August  4th. 

All  units  moving  from  present  cantonments  to  Francheville  and  Ville- 
St.-Etienne  will  make  the  movement  by  marching.  The  machine  guns  and 
ammunition  of  battalions  moving  by  truck  will  accompany  the  troops. 
Machine  gun  carts,  battalion  ration  and  combat  wagons,  rolling  kitchens 
and  water-carts  will  Iso  concentrated  under  liattalion  officer  and  conform 
to  the  march  of  battalion  and  conform  to  the  movement  of  the  battalion, 
although  not  following  auto  route. 

Brigade  commanders  will  regulate  the  time  of  departure  of  all  units 
marching  so  as  to  prevent  congestion  on  the  roads  in  the  vicinity  of  brigade 
cantonments.  All  march  imits  should,  in  principal,  start  before  departure 
of  units  in  trucks  and  should  follow  the  most  direct  routes  to  their  new 
cantonments,  avoiding  as  much  as  possible  the  Grande  Routes,  used  for 
Motor  Transportation. 

Trucks  for  the  movement  of  the  26th  Infantry  to  Camp  des  Antonistes 
will  be  furnished  by  CJ-l.  These  trucks  will  report  to  the  CO.  26th  Infan- 
try at  Camp  de  I'Eveque  at  8:00  a.  m.  August  4th. 

Trucks  for  the  movement  of  the  28th  Infantry  to  Rogeville  and 
Gezoncourt  will  be  furnished  by  G-1.  Trucks  will  be  reported  to  the  CO. 
28th  Infantry  at  Camp  de  I'Eveque  at  8:00  .\.  m.  August  4th. 


FIELD  ORDERS 


415 


5.  Preliminary  Reconnaisfiaiice : 

Commanding  officers,  infantry  regiments,  regimental  adjutants  and 
regimental  operations  or  intelligence  officers  will  report  on  August  4th  to 
the  P.C.'s  enumerated  in  Par.  2.  Commanding  Generals,  1st  and  2d 
Brigades,  will  report  on  August  4th  at  Griscourt  to  obtain  from  the  colonel 
commanding  the  Divisional  Infantry  of  the  2d  Moroccan  Division  the 
necessary  information  relative  to  taking  over  the  command.  Their  staffs 
will  accompany  them  to  make  the  necessary  reconnaissance  and  to  prepare 
installation  of  P.C.'s  provided  in  Par.  2. 

6.  Taking  over  of  Command: 

Commanding  officers  of  regiments  will  take  command  in  their  regi- 
mental zones  August  6th  at  8:00  .\.  u. 

Commanding  generals,  infantry  brigades,  will  take  command  in  their 
sub-sectois  August  7th  at  8:00  a.  m. 

The  Commanding  General,  1st  Division,  will  take  command  in  the 
Saizerais  Sector  August  7th  at  8:00.  The  P.C.  of  the  First  Division  will 
continue  to  function  at  Gondreville  until  August  7th  at  8:00  a.  m. 

7.  Detailed  orders  for  the  relief  will  issue  later. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
Campbell  King, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


C.  G 

C.  of  S 

G-1 

G-2 

G-3 

Adj 

Q.  M 

Surgeon 

D.S.O 

D.E.O 

D.0.0 

D.G.O 

Ins|) 

A.P.M 

French  Mission. 

Hq.  Troop 

4th  Cori^s 

G-3  G.H.Q 


2dD.  M 1 

32(1  C.  A 1 

1st  Inf.  Brig 2 

16th  Inf 5 

18th  Inf 5 

2d  Brig 2 

26th  Inf 5 

28th  Inf 5 

Arty.  Brig 2 

SthF.A.. 1 

6th  F.A 1 

7th  F.  A 1 

P.M.  Baty 1 

1st  M.G.  Bn 1 

2d  Bn.  S.C 1 

Engrs 1 

Trains 2 


410  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

G-3  "  Hoadqiiartors  First  Division, 

VERY  SECRET  Aincrican  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  September  5,  1918. 
Field  Orders 

No.  35. 
Map  References:  Commercy  1/80,000 
Nancy      "    1/80,000 

1.  This  Division  will  relieve  a  portion  of  the  89th  Division  now  in 
sector  between  the  following  boundaries: 

Eastern. — Boucq  (excl.) — LeNeuf  Etang  (incl.) — Mandres  (excl.) 

• — Beaumont  (incl.) — Seicheprey  (excl). 
Western. — Vertuzey  (incl.) — Jouy  (incl.) — Bouconville  (inch). 
The  troops  of  the  89th  Division  holding  the  line  of  surveillance  will 
not  be  relieved  until  further  orders.    These  troojis  will  pass,  after  the  pas- 
sage of  command,  under  command  of  the  First  Division. 

2.  Relief  will  commence  on  tlio  night  of  Se]iteml>er  Gth-7th,  and  be 
completed  on  the  following  night.  Infantry  units  will  ))e  relieved  on  the 
first  night;  machine  gun  units  of  the  89th  Division  will  be  released  at  mid- 
night on  the  second  night.  The  troops  to  be  relieved  comprise  one  Bat- 
talion 350th  Infantry  (Regimental  P.C.)  (Camp  Gerard  Sas)  and  attached 
Machine  Guns. 

3.  Details  of  Relief: 

Night  of  September  6th-7th. 

One  battalion  each  from  the  26th,  28th,  16th  and  18th  Infantry  in 
order  from  right  to  left  will  relieve  in  jiositions  the  companies  of  the  bat- 
talion of  the  356th  Infantry  running  from  right  to  left.  Elements  of  reliev- 
ing battalions  not  actually  concerned  in  the  relief  will  1  )ivouac  in  regimental 
zones  as  indicated  on  attached  map  (furnished  most  interested  parties 
only).  Relieving  battalions  leave  present  cantonments  at  9:00  p.m.  The 
battalions  designated  by  regimental  commanders  should  be  the  battalions 
designed  for  ultimate  occupation  of  the  front  line. 

The  Ijattalion  conmiandei's  c<jncei-ned  will  immediately  send  forward 
reconnaissance  parties  to  report  to  the  Commanding  Officer,  356th  Infan- 
try, Camp  Gerard  Sas,  who  will  furnish  the  necessary  guides  to  dii'ect 
tiiem  on  the  companies  which  they  relieve. 

The  following  roatls  will  be  available  for  the  relief: 
1st  Brigade — Aulnois — Cornieville — Rangeval — Tuillerie — east  of  Le 
Nouf  fitang  to  fork  east  of  fitang  de  Gerard  Sas — 
Raulecourt. 
2d  Brigade — Tronde.s — Boucq — road  north  and  east  to  point  255 
(west  of  fitang  Neuf),  thence  road  through  Bois  de 
Boucq  to  road  fork  northwest  of  fitang  Brunehaut — 
thence  along  road  east  of  Neuf  Ctang  de  Mandres  to 
west  of  leading  road  to  Rambucourt  from  Le  Faux  Bois 
Nauginsard. 


FIELD   ORDERS  417 

Roads  indicated  arc  lined  in  i)iue  on  map  herewith  (fm-nishcd  to  most 
interested  parties  only). 

The  following  bivouacking  areas  are  available  for  elements  of  battalions 
not  actually  relieving  companies: 

26th  Infantry — that  part  of  the  Le  Faux  Bois  Nauginsard  lying  east 
of  road  designated  for  2d  Brigatle. 

28th  Infantry — that  part  of  Le  Faux  Bois  Nauginsard  lying  west  of 
road  designated  for  2d  Biigade. 

16th  Infantry — that  part  of  Le  Joli  lying  east  of  road  indicated  for 
1st  Brigade. 

18th  Infantry — Bois  BruM  and  Les  Embanies,  lying  west  of  road  indi- 
cated for  1st  Brigade. 

Attached  machine  gun  companies  will  accompany  battalions. 

An  officer  from  Division  headquarters  will  visit  Headquarters  89th 
Division;  Headquarters,  178th  Infantry  Brigade;  Headquarters,  356th 
Infantry  and  its  l^attalions  directly  concerned,  to  take  over  copies  of  orders, 
plan  of  defense,  maps,  plan  of  works,  plan  of  operations  and  s^tatement  of 
reports  to  be  made.  Battalion  commanders  making  relief  will  take  over 
similar  papers  from  the  companies  they  directly  relieve,  anil  will  receipt 
for  all  property  turned  over. 

The  following  officers  will  remain  at  their  stations  for  12  hours  after 
turning  over  command: 

Regimental  Headquarters — The  Lieut.  Colonel  and  Adjutant  and 
Intelligence  Officer. 

Battalion  Headquarters — The  Battalion  Adjutant  and  one  company 
commander. 

Each  Company — One  officer  or  non-commissioned  officer. 

Each  Platoon — One  non-commissioned  officer  or  acting  non-commis- 
sioned officer. 

Units  relieved  will  turn  over  to  relieving  units  information  relative 
to  lines  of  gas  alert;  zones  and  areas  polluted  by  gas.  Careful  attention 
must  be  paid  to  concealment  from  all  enemy  observation.  All  movements 
must  be  conducted  between  (9:00  and  4:30  a.  m.) 

Details  of  Relief: 

Night  of  September  7th-8th. 

The  movement  of  this  Division  into  sector  will  be  completed.  The 
leading  infantry  battalions  will  evacuate  their  bivouacs  in  present  position 
and  will  occupy  positions  along  the  St.  Dizier-Metz  road,  with  the  objec- 
tive of  protecting  artillery  units  which  will  begin  to  move  into  position  on 
that  night.  These  battalions  will  be  covered  by  advanced  elements  still 
in  sector  of  the  356th  Infantry.  They  will  occupy  positions  and  ])ivouacs 
as  follows: 

26th  Infantry — Beaumont;  28th  Infantry — Beaumont  Quarries; 
16th  Infantry — Rambucourt;  18th  Infantry,  Bouconville.    This  movement 


418  HISTORY  OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 

will  start  at  i):()()  i'.  M.  Promptly  on  occupyiii};  llio  positions  battalion 
coiiimandprs  will  establish  liaison  with  neighboring  units.  Every  effort 
must  he  niatle  to  s(>curo  coinploto  c-oncoalmont  of  the  men  fiom  view  before 
daylight.  All  transportation  will  be  left  in  bivouacs  evacuated.  The 
battalion  of  the  26th  Infantry  with  the  P.C.  at  Beaumont  will  be  held 
ready  to  reinforce  the  advanced  elements  of  the  .356th  Infantry  in  case  of 
an  attack  or  to  counter-attack. 

The  remaining  Ixattalions  of  infantry  will  evacuate  their  present  can- 
tonnionts  from  9:00  p.  m.  and  move  up  into  bivouacs  in  the  Foret  de  la 
Reine,  along  roads  and  into  regimental  bivouac  areas  indicated  above. 
Regimental  Headquarters  and  Headquarters  companies  will  confonu 
to  this  movement.  Supply  companies  and  rear  echelons  will  l)e  grouped, 
1st  Brigade  at  Cornicville,  2d  Brigade  at  Vertuzy.  The  Conunanding 
Generals,  1st  and  2d  Infantry  Brigades,  will  so  regulate  hours  of  departure 
as  to  prevent  congestion  on  the  roads  assigned  to  the  use  of  their  brigade. 

Headquarters,  2d  Infantry  Brigade,  will  move  to  Camp  Gerard  Sas. 
Headquarters,  1st  Infantrj'  Brigade,  will  remain  at  Cornieville  until  further 
orders. 

The  1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion  will  evacuate  present  billets  at  9:00 
p.  M.  and  move  to  the  woods  north  of  Rangeval  and  south  of  Neuf  fitang. 

The  Commanding  General,  1st  F.  A.  Brigade,  the  Division  Engineer 
Officer,  the  Division  Signal  Officer,  the  Division  Surgeon  and  Commanding 
Officer,  Military  Police,  will  arrange  with  corresponding  officers  of  the  89th 
Division  the  details  of  the  relief  under  their  supervision  within  the  zones 
being  relieved  and  make  the  transfer  of  the  zone  property  and  stores. 

Elements  of  their  command  not  actually  relieving  elements  of  the 
89th  Division  will,  on  the  night  of  September  7th-8th,  be  concentrated  as 
follows,  movement  to  begin  at  9:00  p.  m.: 

1st  Regt.  Engineens — Jouy  sous  les  Cotes; 

2d  Field  Bn.  S.C— Cornieville; 

Hq.  Train  and  M.P. — Cornieville; 

Sanitary  Train — Aulnois  sous  Vertuzy  and  neighboring  woods. 

5.  Passage  of  Command: 

The  conmiand  of  all  elements  concerned  in  relief  will  pass  on  com- 
pletion of  reUef . 

Commanding  Generals,  Infantry  Brigades  and  Commanding  Officers, 
Infantry  Regiments,  will  assume  command  in  the  zones  occupied  bj'  troops 
of  their  command  on  completion  of  entry  into  sector  night  of  September 
7th-8th. 

P.C.  First  Division  will  close  at  Pagny  sur  Meuse  at  9:00  a.m., 
September  8th,  and  open  at  Rangeval  same  date  and  hour. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
Campbell  King, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


FIELD   ORDERS 


419 


Distribution: 

C.G.,  1st  Div... 

C.  of  S 

G-1 

G-2 

G-3 

Adjt 

Hq.  Troop 

Div.  Surgeon . . . 

DSO. 

DEO 

French  Mission. 

G-3,  GHQ 

G-3,  4th  A.C. .  . 
G-3,  1st  Armt.. 
G-3,  89th  Div.. 


Maps 


Maps 


1st  Brig 2 

16th  Inf 5 

18th  Inf 5 

2d  Brig 2 

26th  Inf 5 

28th  Inf 5 

Art.  Brig 2 

5th  F.  A 

6th  F.A 

7th  F.A 

1st  M.G.  Bn 

DMGO 

1st  Engrs 3 

Trains  and  MP 5 

2d  Field  Bn.  SC 1 


1 
4 
4 
1 
4 
4 
4 


Headquarters  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France,  September  9,  1918. 


G-3 

VERY  SECRET 
940 
Field  Orders 

No.  36. 
Maps:   1/80,000 

1/20,000  Sketch,  furnished  most  interested  parties. 

1.  Intention  of  the  High  Command: 

(a)  The  First  Army  attacks  at  H  hour  on  D  day  (to  he  given  later) 
to  reduce  the  St.  Mihiel  Salient  bj^  two  simultaneous  attacks.  One  from 
the  south  with  the  4th  Corps  on  the  left  and  the  1st  Corps  on  the  right, 
and  one  from  the  west  by  the  5th  Corps. 

(b)  On  the  left  of  the  4th  Corps  the  2d  Colonial  Corps  (French)  will 
attack  at  H  plus  1  hour  and  advance  to  eastern  edge  of  Le  Tombois — 
eastern  edge  of  the  Le  Ponce-Le  Joli  Bois.  On  the  second  day  it  will  ad- 
vance northwestward  to  the  line — eastern  edge  of  Le  Tombois — Hill  240 
(1  km.  northwest  of  Mont  Sec) — Bois  de  la  Maillette-fitang  de  Chamjjrez. 
Upon  indications  of  an  enemy  withdrawal  it  will  join  up  the  southern  and 
western  attacks  on  the  Army  objective  between  Hattonville  and  La 
Chaufors. 

2.  Mission  and  Zone  of  Action  of  the  Ditiision: 
(a)  Mission. 

The  First  Division  participates  in  the  attack  as  the  left  division  of  the 
4th  Corps.  The  Division  has  the  mission  of  covering  its  own  advance  as 
well  as  the  advance  of  the  divisions  on  its  right.  It  has  on  the  right  the 
42d  Division.    It  has  on  its  left  the  39th  D.I.  (French). 


420  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

The  Division  will  assemble  for  the  attack  during  the  night  of  D  — 1/D 
with  all  elements  south  of  the  line:  Height  242  (72.22) — thence  to  Height 
240.3  on  road  (65.19)— thence  along  the  road  to  Height  239.3  (53.17)— 
thence  road  west  limit  of  Division  Zone. 

The  42d  Division  will  attack  toward  the  heights  overlooking  the 
Madine  River  within  its  sector.  The  First  Division  will  assist  this  blow 
by  promptly  taking  Richecourt  and  Lahaj^ville,  taking  or  turning  Quart 
de  Reserve  and  capturing  heights  south  of  the  Madine  River. 

(6)  Objectives:  Zone  of  action  of  the  Division:  Zone  of  action  of  Brigades 
and  Regiments  (see  attached  map) : 

3.  Formation  and  Use  of  Troops: 

(a)  Infantry: 

Normal  formation:  2d  Brigade  on  the  right — 1st  Brigade  on  the  left: 
Infantry  Regiments  from  right  to  left— 26th,  28th,  16th,  18th.  28th  and 
16th  Infantry  normal  formation,  echeloned  in  depth  with  the  1st,  2d  and 
3d  line  battalions.  18th  Infantry,  2  battalions  in  first  line — one  battalion 
in  the  3d  or  reserve  line.  Commanding  Officer,  18th  Infantry,  will  withdraw 
one  second  line  company  from  his  right  first  line  battalion  for  Regimental 
'  Reserve.  One  second  line  company  from  the  left  1st  line  battalion,  18th 
Infanti-y,  is  detached  from  the  regiment  foi-  special  duty  with  tanks  and 
will  form  with  the  tanks  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Rupt  de  Mad.  Interior 
third  line  battalions — Brigade  Reserve;  exterior  third  line  battalions — 
Division  Reserve. 

Brigades  and  regiments  will  go  forward  in  their  prescribed  zones  fol- 
lowing the  barrage — rate  100  meters  in  four  minutes.  There  will  be  halts 
on  each  objective  as  follows: 

1st  Objective:  20  minutes.  During  this  period  the  barrage  will  stand 
on  enemy  first  line  trenches  northwest  of  bank  of  Rupt  de  Mad  as  far 
south  as  the  eastern  edge  of  Richecourt,  for  the  destructive  fire  on  the 
enemy  trenches  and  to  permit  placing  of  bridges  at  points  farthest  from  the 
barrage  (shown  in  red  on  the  attached  sketch).  From  Richecourt  north 
and  west  the  barrage  will  form  a  box  to  cover  troops  advancing  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Rupt  de  Mad  and  to  give  maneuvering  ground  for  the  tanks. 

2d  Objective:  20  minutes.  The  barrage  will  stand  at  200  meters  beyond 
the  2d  objective  to  permit  re-formation  of  troops  after  passing  through  the 
enemy's  position. 

Sd  Objective:  The  barrage  will  stand  200  meters  in  front  of  the  3d 
objective  until  H  plus  6  hours. 

4th  Objective:  The  barrage  will  stand  200  meters  in  front  of  the  4th 
objective  to  cover  consolidation. 

First  line  l)attahons  will  then  take  all  objectives  to  include  the  3d 
objective.  The  right  first  line  battalion  of  the  18th  Infantry  will  also  take 
its  4th  objective.  On  advance  to  the  4th  objective  the  2d  line  battahons 
in  the  2d  Brigade  and  the  16th  Infantry  will  pass  the  1st  line  battalions 


FIELD   ORDERS  421 

in  their  regimental  zone  and  take  the  4tli  objective.  In  case  the  leading 
battalions  lose  the  barrage  they  will  work  their  way  forward  in  their  regi- 
mental zone  by  their  own  means. 

The  mo.st  difficult  mission  of  the  1st  Brigade  is  to  cover  the  left  flank 
of  the  advance.  To  this  end  the  left  front  line  battalion  of  the  18th  Infan- 
try is  formed  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Rupt  de  Mad  and  has  the  special  mis- 
sion of  covering  the  left  flank  of  the  Division  up  to  the  final  objective  of 
that  battalion. 

The  battaUons  in  the  Division  Reserve  will  conform  to  normal  attack 
formations  and  follow  by  bounds.  First  bound  for  battalion  of  the  18th 
Infantry  in  Division  Reserve — in  regimental  zone  to  position  in  valley 
IH  km-  north  of  Rambucourt.  Movement  to  be  initiated  at  H  hour. 
Battalion  of  the  26th  Infantry  in  Division  Reserve  will  remain  in  place 
until  further  orders.  Liaison  officers  from  infantry  battalions  in  the  Divi- 
sion Reserve  will  be  at  Division  P.C.  from  H  minus  one  hour. 

The  objective  given  on  the  attached  sketch  will  be  the  limit  of  the 
infantry  advance.  In  front  of  these  limits  the  artillery  barrage  will  fall. 
The  objectives  will  be  occupied  according  to  the  nature  of  the  ground  but 
the  patrols  in  all  cases  will  be  pushed  out  to  the  limits  indicated. 

(6)  Machine  Guns: 

Regimental  and  Brigade  machine  gun  companies  attached  to  infantry 
battalions  will  remain  under  orders  of  the  infantry  battalion  commander 
and  conform  to  the  movements  of  the  infantry  battalion. 

The  7th  M.G.  Battalion  (3d  Division)  is  placed  in  reserve,  under 
orders  of  the  Commanding  General,  1st  Brigade.  It  will  be  in  position 
immediately  south  of  Raml)ucourt  prepared  to  advance  at  H  minus  1  hour. 
The  P.C.  of  the  CO.,  7th  M.G.  BattaHon,  will  be  with  the  Commanding 
General,  1st  Brigade,  from  H  minus  1  hour. 

The  1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion  is  the  Division  Reserve.  It  will 
occupy  position  in  reserve  immediately  south  of  Beaumont  at  H  minus 
1  hour.     Liaison  officer  will  be  at  Division  P.C.  from  H  minus  1  hour. 

(c)  Artillery: 

There  will  be  no  fire  for  the  destruction  before  H  hour. 

The  Divisional  Artillery,  however,  will  prepare  a  plan  for  destructive 
fire  of  14  hours  prior  to  H  hour,  to  be  used  if  necessary. 

The  following  artillery  units,  not  divisional,  are  attached  for  this 
operation : 

58th  F.A.  Brigade,  less  one  battalion  155's. 
One  regiment  75-mm.  3d  F.A.  Brigade. 
Two  Batteries  8-inch,  44th  C.A.C. 

75-mm.  batteries  will  furnish  rolling  barrage  to  cover  the  advance  to 
the  2d  objective,  and  will  protect  the  left  flank  of  the  advance  from  machine 
gun  fire  by  combing  the  ground  for  several  hundred  yards  to  the  flank. 
No  artillery  fire  will  be  delivered  within  100  meters  of  the  eastern  limit  of 


422  HISTORY   OV   THE    FIRST   DIVISION 

tho  zono  of  tliis  Division.  No  gas  slicils  will  be  firod  on  the  zone  of  the 
neighboring  divisions.  No  gas  shells  will  be  fired  in  the  zone  of  this  division 
in  the  vicinities  which  troops  are  scheduled  to  occupy  within  four  hours. 

On  reaching  the  limit  of  accurate  range,  batteries  will  move  forward 
progressively  to  positions  where  they  will  be  able  to  protect  further  advance 
of  the  infantry.  This  progress  will  cause  the  moving  forward  of  some 
batteries  before  the  infantry  has  reached  the  3d  objective.  The  advance 
of  the  infantry,  however,  to  this  objective  will  be  covered  by  barrage 
delivered  l)y  the  most  advanced  l)atteries.  The  customary  battalions  or 
larger  units  of  75-mm.  will  Ije  assigned  to  act  direct  with  the  infantry  in 
each  regimental  zone.  Preliminary  orders  regarding  accompanjang  pla- 
toons have  already  been  given. 

The  barrage  will  be  increased  in  depth,  batteries  delivering  reinforcing 
barrage  firing  200  meters  in  advance  of  batteries  delivering  normal  rolling 
barrage.  An  extensive  use  of  smoke  shells  will  be  made.  The  heavy  bat- 
teries will  pay  special  attention  to  destructive  fire  on  woods  lying  in  the 
zone  of  the  Division  and  will  maintain  neutralizing  fire  on  Mont  Sec  and 
on  the  large  camps  in  the  Bois  de  Gargantua. 

The  rolling  barrage  will  ho  laid  down  on  the  enemy  first  line  trenches 
at  H  hour,  and  will  stand  until  the  arrival  of  the  infantry  within  200  meters, 
as  figured  from  infantry  time  table.  Artillery  will  avoid  firing  on  the 
bridges  across  the  Rupt  de  Mad. 

(d)  Tanks: 

One  battalion  of  small  yVmcrican  tanks,  49  fighting  tanks  (as  reinforced) 
is  attached  to  the  Division  for  operation.  Five  tanks  will  operate  on  the 
east  bank  of  the  Rupt  de  Mad  with  the  object  of  destroying  enemy  defense 
in  front  of  Richecourt.  These  tanks  will  be  in  position  to  move  out  with 
the  right  front  line  battalion,  18th  Infantry,  from  the  jumping-off  line  at 
H  hour.  The  remainder  of  the  battalion  will  take  initial  position  on  the 
west  bank  of  the  Rupt  de  Mad  in  the  vicinity  of  Xivray-Marvoisin.  At 
H  hour  the  tanks  will  advance  in  the  zone  of  the  left  front  line  battalion, 
18th  Infantry,  accompanied  by  attached  Engineers,  and  one  company  18th 
Infantry,  especially  attached  as  tank  guards.  On  crossing  the  Ranaux  Rau 
one  company  of  tanks  operating  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Rupt  de  Mad  will 
turn  to  the  east  and  enter  Richecourt.  As  soon  as  the  barrage  lifts  from 
in  front  of  the  1st  objective  this  company  will  move  N.E.  on  the  N.W.  bank 
of  the  Rupt  de  Mad  and  Ijetween  the  enemy  defenses  on  either  bank  to 
assist  in  the  advance  of  the  infantry.  The  remainder  of  the  tanks  will  pro- 
ceed to  the  east  and  while  the  barrage  stands  in  front  of  the  2d  objective 
will  move  into  position  to  accompany  the  infantry  in  its  advance  on  the 
3d  objective. 

Tanks  will  be  accompanied  by  details  from  1st  Engineers,  and  by  one 
company  drawn  from  the  left  front  Hue  liattaHon,  18th  Infantry.  When 
the  tanks  are  unable  to  proceed  farther  tank  details  from  this  company 


FIELD   ORDERS  423 

will  advance  with  infantry  in  whose  zone  they  find  themselves  to  the  4th 
objective.  On  the  4th  objective  this  company  will  be  assembled  and 
reported  to  its  regimental  commander  in  regimental  reserve. 

(e)  Engineers: 

The  Divisional  Engineers,  as  reinforced,  will  facilitate  the  progress  of 
the  Division.    Attached  units: 

2  companies,  51st  Pioneer  Infantry  (labor  troops). 

The  Division  Engineer  Officer  will  make  necessary  assignment  of 
details  to  facilitate  the  progress  of  the  Division.  These  details  will  include 
Bangalore  torpedo  and  wire  cutting  details  with  infantry  platoons;  pre- 
scribed details  to  facilitate  the  advance  of  the  tanks;  bridge  details  for  the 
passage  of  the  Rupt  de  Mad  and  Madine  rivers;  details  to  reljuild  per- 
manent bridges,  and  necessary  road  construction  work  and  dump  details. 

Liaison  officer  from  the  1st  Regiment  Engineers  will  be  at  the  Division 
P.C.  from  H  minus  1  hour. 

(/)  Gas  and  Flame  Troops: 

Two  platoons,  Co.  A,  1st  Gas  Regiment  (8  mortars)  are  attached  to 
the  Division  for  operation.  Four  of  these  mortars  will  take  preliminary 
station  with  the  left  front  line  battalion  of  the  18th  Infantry  and  will  advance 
to  position  where  it  can  cover  by  smoke  the  progress  of  our  troops  along  the 
Rupt  de  Mad.  Four  other  mortars  will  similarly  advance,  two  each  with 
the  front  line  battalions  of  the  16th  and  28th  Infantry.  On  the  advance 
of  the  infantry  from  the  1st  objective  these  platoons  will  accompany  the 
infantry  battalions  and  assist  the  advance  by  fire  on  machine  gun  nests  as 
far  as  the  facilities  of  the  ammunition  supply  permit.  Liaison  agents  from 
each  platoon  will  be  with  battalion  commanders  in  whose  zone  they  work. 
The  commanding  officer  of  the  2  platoons  will  be  at  Brigade  P.C.  of  the 
1st  Infantry  Brigade  at  H  miims  1  hour. 

(g)  Aviation: 

The  following  aviation  is  attached  to  the  Division  for  operation: 
8th  Observation  Squadron; 
9th  Balloon  Company. 

The  Observation  Squadron  will  furnish  planes  as  follows:  Infantry 
plane  to  follow  advance  of  infantry  and  report  on  its  front  line.  Artillery 
planes  to  direct  fire  of  divisional  artillery.  A  special  tank  plane  to  signal 
to  the  artillery  targets  especially  holding  up  tanks. 

These  planes  will  fly  from  H  hoiu-  plus  4  hours,  making  suitable  reliefs. 
From  H  plus  4  hours  one  plane  will  be  maintained  in  the  air  and  further 
orders  will  be  given.    Liai.son  officer  will  be  at  Division  P.C. 

The  Balloon  Company  will  maintain  ol)servation  during  the  hours 
when  visibility  is  possible,  and  w  ill  keep  the  command  constantly  informed 
as  to  the  situation. 

(/()  Cavalry: 

Troops  D,  F,  and  H,  2d  Cavalry,  are  attached  to  the  First  Division  for 
the  operation.    This  detachment  will  lie  held  subject  to  Division  orders. 


424  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

It  will  take  position  with  its  hetul  in  the  rear  of  the  battalion  of  the  2()tli 
Infantry  in  Division  Reserve  west  of  Mandres,  at  H  minus  1  hour.  A 
liaison  officer  will  be  at  Division  P.C.  from  H  minus  1  hour. 

4.  Pout  of  Command: 

Unit  Initial 

4th  Army  Corp.'!  Menil  la  Tour 

1st  Div.  and  Div.  Art.  Beaumont 

42(1  Division  Ansauville 

39th  D.I.  Commercy 

(...)  Regt.  D.I.  Participating  on 

left  flank  of  this  Division  Broussey 

2d  Infantry  Brigade  P.C.    near    Seicheprey,    just    cast    of 

Boyau  dc  Rambucoiut. 
P.C.   at  crossing  of  road  and   trench 
systems     500     meters     south     of 
Seicheprey. 
Subsequent  P.C.'s  will  follow  the  axis  of  liaison. 

5.  Liaison: 

Division  axis  of  liaison — Beaumont — west  of  Seicheprey — Lahayville — 
western  edge  of  Bois  Rate — crest  1  km.  N.E.  of  Bois  Rate — Nonsard. 
Combat  liaison  will  be  maintained  at  all  times  by  all  units. 

6.  Communications,  Supply  and  Evacuation: 
Orders  will  be  issued  from  (J-1. 

7.  General  rnstructions: 

(a)  H  hour  is  the  hour  at  which  the  infantry  reaches  the  jumping-off 
lino.  All  troops  will  be  in  place  by  H  minus  1  hour.  No  troop  movements 
of  any  kind  will  take  place  north  of  Toul  between  4:30  a.  m.  and  6:00 
p.  M.  on  any  day  prior  to  D  day. 

(/))  First  line  battalion  commanders  will  push  forward  covering  detach- 
ments in  their  zone  to  cover  the  formation  of  their  battalions  at  the  jump- 
ing-off place.  A  soon  as  those  covering  detachments  have  pas.sefl  the  cover- 
ing troops  of  the  89th  Division  on  the  outpost  positions  the  latter  will  be 
released  and  will  report  to  their  division. 

(c)  Surpri.se  is  the  essential  feature  of  this  operation.  The  placing  of 
troops  in  position  must  be  done  without  any  betrayal  by  sights  or  sounds. 
From  H  hour  troops  must  make  every  effort  to  follow  the  Ixarrage  and  go 
through  the  enemy  defenses  in  time  to  exploit  the  initial  success.  The 
success  of  the  operation  will  depend  on  the  swift  passage  of  all  obstacles, 
wire,  wired  woods  and  streams,  which  are  the  enemy's  strongest  defenses. 

((/)  Strong  reconnaissances  will  be  pu.shed  out  from  the  1st  day's 
objective  (4th  objective)  when  attained.  Zones  of  exploitation  are  indi- 
cated by  arrow  heads  in  the  attached  sketch.  No  exploitation,  however, 
will  be  attempted  in  the  Bois  de  Gargantua  until  Nonsartl  is  taken. 


FIELD   ORDERS  425 

(e)  Oh  tho  2cl  day  tho  Army  may  direct  an  advance  to  the  general  line 
Vieville,  inclusive,  Hattonville,  inclusive,  rear  edge  of  Chaufoiu'  Bois.  This 
line  is  known  as  the  Army's  objective.  When  taken  it  will  be  inmiediately 
consolidated. 

(/)  The  following  annexes  will  be  prepared  in  connection  with  this 
Field  Order: 

Annex  to  Par.  5 — Plan  of  Liaison. 

Annex  to  Par.  6 — Plan  of  Communication,  Supply  Evacuation. 
By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall. 
Distribution, 
(continued) 


G-3.  Headquarters  First  Division, 

Field  Orders  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

No.  37  France,  September  13,  1918. 

Map  references:  Commercy  1/80,000. 

1.  The  1st  Army  will  immediately  continue  to  advance  to  the  Army 
objective. 

2.  This  Division  will  immediately  occupy  the  line  fitang  de  Champrez, 
west  edge  of  Bois  Belle  Oziere,  west  edge  of  Bois  de  Nonsard,  west  edge 
of  Bois  de  Vigneulles,  fitang  de  Vigneulles.  This  line  will  be  immediately 
organized  for  defense.  Interior  limits  between  brigades — Vigneulles- 
Nonsard  road  (to  1st  Brigade).  Commanding  Generals,  Infantry  Brigades, 
will  make  these  dispositions  within  their  brigades  to  insure  the  occupation 
of  this  line.  The  detachment  in  advance  of  this  line  will  be  immediately 
withdrawn  by  Commanding  CJenerals  of  Brigades.  The  Commanding 
Generals  of  2d  Infantry  Brigade  will  establish  liaison  with  the  elements  of 
the  42d  Division. 

The  Brigade  of  the  3d  Division  attached  to  this  Division  and  in  Divi- 
sion Reserve  will  be  relieved  from  this  duty  at  5:00  H.  September  14th 
and  will  move  at  once  to  position  previously  occupied  on  Beaumont  ridge, 
reporting  on  arrival  to  Commanding  General  3d  Division  for  duty. 

The  2  battalions  of  the  42d  Division  attached  to  this  Division  as 
Division  Reserve  are  released  immediately  and  will  report  to  the  Command- 
ing General  42d  Division  for  duty. 

The  provisional  Squadron  2d  Cavalry  attached  to  this  Division  is 
released  at  5:00  H.  Sept.  14th  and  will  report  to  the  Commanding  General 
4th  Corps  for  duty. 

3.  As  soon  as  the  2d  Colonial  Corps  (French)  is  on  the  Army  olijective, 
in  liaison  with  the  42d  Division,  this  Division  will  be  established  in  the 
area  Nonsard,  Bois  de  la  Belle  Oziere,  fitang  de  Pannes.  Further  orders 
will  issue  on  this  subject. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
Campbell  King, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


426                    HISTORY   UF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

Distribution: 

C.G.  Div 1  C.G.,  2dBrig 1 

C.  of  S 1  C.G.  Arty 1 

G-1 1  CO.  1st  M.G.  Bn 1 

G-2 1  C.  G.  Att.  Brig.  3d  Div.  1 

G-3 File  C.G.  3d  Div.. 1 

D.E.0 1  C.G.  42d  Div 1 

D.S.0 1  CO.  Prov.  2d  Cav 1 

C.G.,  1st  Brig 1  4th  Corps 1 


G-3        SECRET  AND  PERSONAL      Headquarters  First  Division, 
1032  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  September  30,  1918. 
Field  Orders 

No.  43. 
Maps:    1, '20,000  special  map  (issued  to  most  interested  parties  only). 

1.  Intention  of  the  High  Commmid: 

The  1st  Army  will  continue  its  attack  tomorrow,  October  1st,  to  the 
combined  Army  1st  Phase  Line  (in  our  sector  general  line  of  Ch6h6ry- 
Fl^ville-Cote  de  Maldah). 

2.  Mission  of  the  Division,  Zones  of  Action  ami  Objectives: 

(a)  This  Division,  as  the  right  division  of  the  1st  Corps,  will  pass 
through  the  35th  Division  and  take  the  combined  Army  objective,  main- 
taining liaison  with  the  28th  Division  on  the  left  and  the  91st  Di\'ision 
(5th  Corps)  on  the  right. 

(6)  The  1st  Brigade  will  attack  on  the  left,  the  2d  Brigade  on  the  right. 
Regiments  from  left  to  right  will  be  the  16th  Infantry  (frontage  of  600 
meters),  18th  Infantry,  28th  Infantry,  26th  Infantry.  For  interior  limits 
between  lirigades  and  regiments  see  attached  sketch. 

(c)  For  ot)jectives  see  attached  sketch. 

3.  Use  of  Troops: 
(a)  Infantry: 

Normal  formation  will  be  used.  Exterior  third  line  battalions  in 
divisional  reserve,  interior  third  line  l)attalions  in  brigade  reserve.  One 
company  from  1st  and  2d  Battalions  of  the  left  regiment  (16th  Inf.)  will 
be  designated  by  the  C  O.  16th  Inf.  for  combat  patrol  duty  up  the  valley 
of  the  Aire  River. 

The  infantry  brigades  will  be  assembled  by  24:00  hoius  (midnight)  on 
the  Charpentrv-ficlisefontaine  road  (see  attached  sketch).  Tiie  1st 
brigade  will  move  forward  from  the  assembly  line  progressively  from  H 
minus  1  hr.  and  the  2d  Brigade  from  H  minus  .30  minutes,  so  as  to  pass  the 
jumping-off  line  at  H  hour.  The  infantry  will  pass  through  the  35th 
Division  and  will  stop  on  the  present  line  held  by  the  35th  Division. 


FIELD   ORDERS  427 

(b)  Artillnij: 

The  artilleiy  will  put  down  a  Ixirrage  in  depth  200  meters  in  front  of 
the  jumping-off  line  at  H  minus  15  minutes.  The  155's  will  pay  particular 
attention  to  the  woods  lying  between  the  jumping-off  line  and  the  1st 
objective  from  H  minus  15  minutes. 

At  H  hour  this  liarrage  will  lift  and  advance  at  the  rate  of  100  meters 
in  three  minutes. 

The  barrage  will  halt  30  miinites  200  meters  in  front  of  the  1st  objective 
and  will  then  cease.  The  infantry  v>'ill  thereafter  advance  without  artillery 
barrage,  supported  by  artillery  fire  on  sensitive  points. 

(c)  Machine  Guns: 

Machine  gun  companies  attached  to  the  1st  and  2d  line  infantry 
battalions  will  accompany  their  battalions  by  bounds,  keeping  in  close 
liaison  with  the  infantry  battalion  commanders. 

Machine  gun  companies  of  the  3d  line  battalions,  including  Division 
Reserve  battalions,  will  be  placed  under  orders  of  brigade  commanders  and 
used  to  fill  in  gaps  and  protect  the  flanks  of  the  brigades. 

(d)  Division  Reserves: 

The  infantry  battahons  in  the  Division  Reserve  will  conform  to  the 
movements  of  their  respective  regiments,  and  follow  in  normal  formations 
in  regimental  zones.  Liaison  officers  will  report  to  G-3  these  Headquarters 
by  H  minus  1  hour. 

The  1st  Machine  Clun  Battalion  will  remain  in  place  southeast  of 
Varennes  on  the  Varennes-Avocourt  road.  Liaison  officers  will  report  to 
G-3  these  headquarters  by  H  minus  1  hour. 

(e)  Tanks: 

Tanks,  if  availaljle,  will  precede  the  infantry. 

5.  Post  of  Command: 

1st  Division — Cheppy. 

1st  Brigade — Charpentry. 

2d  Brigade — Very. 

1st  Corps — Southern  edge  of  woods  on  Les  Cotes  de  Forimont. 

28th  Division — La  Forge. 

91st  Division — Epinonville. 

6.  General  Instructions: 

Infantry  regiments  will  advance  within  the  limits  of  their  respective 
zones  following  the  artillery  barrage  as  it  is  provided,  thereafter  without 
it.  There  will  he  a  halt  of  30  minutes  for  reformation  on  the  1st  and  2d 
objectives.    The  3d  objective  will  be  organized  in  depth  for  defense. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
J.  N.  Greely, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


428  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 

Addendum 
It  now  develops  that  elements  of  the  35th  Division  are  on  Rau  de 
Mayache  in  the  zone  of  the  26th  Infantry.  Therefore,  the  artillery  l)ar- 
rage  in  front  of  the  sector  of  the  26th  Infantry  will  not  be  placed  Houth  of 
the  Rau  de  Mayache.  26th  Infantry  must  advance  to  the  Rau  de  Mayache 
without  barrage. 


G-3         PERSONAL  AND  SECRET      Headquarters  First  Division, 
1034  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

Field  Orders  France,  September  30,  1918. 

No.  44. 
Map  reference:  Sketch  1/20,000,  attached  F.  0.  43. 

1.  The  First  Division  will  relieve  the  35th  Division,  less  the  Artillery 
Brigade  and  Sanitary  Trains  of  the  35th  Division,  and  part  of  the  327th 
Infantry  of  the  82d  Division  on  the  night  of  September  30,  1918-October 
1,  1918. 

2.  Details  of  the  Relief: 

The  leading  battalions  of  the  First  Division  with  their  head  on  the 
Charpentry-Eclisefontaine  road  at  midnight  will  advance  to  the  line: 
L'Esperance — Chaudron  Fme. — Serieux  Farm — BoleauxBois,  designated  as 
jumping-off  line  in  sketch  attached  to  F.O.  43.  These  battalions  to  arrive 
on  the  so-called  jumping-off  line  not  later  than  3:00  a.  m.  Octolier  1,1918. 

Upon  arrival  of  the  leading  elements  of  the  First  Division  upon  this 
line,  elements  of  the  35th  Di\asion  and  the  327th  Infantry  stand  relieved. 
There  will  be  no  formal  taking  over  as  in  a  regular  sector  relief.  The  2d 
Hne  battalions  will  organize  along  the  Charpentrv-ficlisefontaine  road. 
Third  line  battaUons  will  be  placed  in  the  valley  of  Verv.  All  organizations 
will  organize  properly  in  depth  for  defense  and  dig  in. 

3.  Boundaries  between  brigades  and  regiments  as  per  map  attached 
to  F.  0.  43. 

4.  Elements  of  the  35th  Division  upon  being  relieved  will  be  grouped 
in  the  region  Varennes-Cheppy  to  await  orders  from  the  Commanding 
General,  35th  Division. 

Elements  of  the  327th  Infantry  upon  lieing  relieved  will  report  to  the 
Commanding  General,  82d  Division. 

5.  Contact  with  the  82d  Division  on  the  left  and  with  the  91st  Division 
on  the  right  will  be  established  by  mixed  posts  of  the  16th  Infantry  on  the 
left  and  of  the  26th  Infantry  on  the  right,  both  on  the  line  of  surveillance 
and  the  support  line. 

6.  Commanding  General,  First  Division,  Commanding  Generals, 
Infantry  Brigades,  and  Commanding  Officers  of  regiments  will  assume 
conimand  of  their  respective  sectors,  sub-sectors  and  zones  at  3:00  a.  m. 
October  1,  1918. 


FIELD   ORDERS  429 

7.  The  D.S.O.,  D.M.G.O.  and  Commanding  Officers,  Service  of  Sup- 
plies, will  take  over  from  corresponding  officers  of  the  35th  Division  at 
once. 

8.  Staking  out  has  been  requested  by  the  aviation  at  8:00  a.m. 
October  1st.  Brigade  Commanders  will  submit  as  soon  as  possible  to  the 
Division  sketches  showing  the  location  of  all  troops  in  their  sub-sectors. 

9.  Field  Order  43  is  annulled. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
J.  N.  Gheely, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


G-3        SECRET  AND  PERSONAL      Headquarters  First  Division, 
Copy  No.  9  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  October  2,  1918. 
Field  Orders 

No.  47. 
Maps:   1/20,000  issued  to  most  interested  parties  only. 

1.  Intention  of  the  High  Command: 

(a)  The  enemy  has  been  driven  back  by  the  British,  French,  Belgian 
and  American  Armies. 

The  1st  Army  has  captured  more  than  9000  prisoners  and  100  guns, 
and  has  destroyed  more  than  40  enemy  planes  since  the  battle  started. 

The  4th  French  Army  continues  its  advances. 

The  1st  Army  will  continue  the  attack  on  D  day  at  H  hour  (to  be 
announced  later). 

(b)  The  1st  Army  Corps  will  resume  the  attack  on  its  present  front 
on  D  day  at  H  hour.    The  Corps  objective  is  the  line: 

Hill  1  km.  southeast  Sommerance-Fleville  (exclusive); 
Hill  180  (inclusive). 

2.  Mission  of  the  Dirision,  Zones  of  Action  and  Objective: 

(a)  This  Division  as  the  right  division  of  the  1st  Corps  will  advance 
and  take  the  Corps  objective  without  reference  to  the  advance  of  the  divi- 
sion on  our  right  (91st  Div.,  5th  Corps)  and  on  the  left  (28th  Div.).  The 
Division  will  he  prepared  to  advance  to  be  covered  by  later  orders.  The 
Division  will  assist  the  91st  Division  of  the  5th  Corps  in  reducing  the  Bois 
de  Money  and  Le  Petit  Bois. 

(b)  The  1st  Infantry  Brigade  will  attack  on  the  left;  the  2d  Brigade 
on  the  right.  Regiments  from  left  to  right  will  be:  16th  Inf.,  18th  Inf., 
28th  Inf.,  26th  Inf.  For  interior  limits  between  brigades  and  regiments, 
see  attached  sketch. 

(c)  For  objectives,  see  attached  sketch. 

3.  Use  of  Troops: 
(o)  Infantry: 


430  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST   DIVISION 

Normal  formations  will  be  used.  Exterior  third  line  battalions  in 
Division  Reserve — interior  third  line  battalions  in  Brigade  Reserve.  One 
company  from  first  and  second  line  battalions  of  the  left  regiment  (16th  Inf.) 
will  lje  designated  by  the  C.  O.  16th  Inf.  for  combat  patrol  duty  up  the; 
valley  of  the  Aire  River.  The  companies  of  the  16th  Inf.  designated  for 
patrol  duty  will  insure  liaison  with  the  right  regiment  of  the  28th  Division 
and  will  clear  woods  at  the  Fme.  de  Oranges  of  all  hostile  machine  guns. 
The  16th  Inf.,  in  advancing  along  the  broad  plateau  west  of  Exermont,  will 
advance  with  wide  intervals  and  distances  between  all  elements  in  order  to 
avoid  enemy  artillery  fire  from  the  heights  to  the  noi-th  and  northwest. 

The  26th  Infantry  will  assist  the  91st  Division  in  taking  the  Bois  de 
Money  and  Le  Petit  Bois  by  having  strong  combat  patrols  on  its  right 
flank,  advancing  straight  ahead  in  the  zone  of  the  26th  Infantry  to  insure 
the  flanking  out  of  the  enemy  in  these  positions. 

The  jumping-off  line  in  the  attached  sketch  is  a  line  200  meters  in 
front  of  which  the  barrage  starts  at  H  minus  5  mins.  The  leading  battalions 
will  not  form  up  on  this  jumping-off  line,  liut  will  throw  out  a  screen  to 
cover  their  advance  and  to  mark  the  jumping-off  line.  This  screen  will 
be  in  place  by  midnight  of  D  day.  The  leading  elements  will  cross  the 
jumping-off  line  at  H  hour.  As  soon  as  the  artillery  barrage  lifts  from  the 
front  of  the  Corps  objective,  strong  combat  patrols  will  be  pushed  to  the 
front  to  maintain  contact  with  the  enemy. 

(b)  Artilknj: 

The  artillery  will  put  down  a  deep  barrage  200  meters  in  front  of  the 
jumping-off  line  at  H  minus  5  minutes.  At  H  hour  this  barrage  will  lift, 
atlvancing  at  the  rate  of  100  meters  in  four  minutes.  The  barrage  will  halt 
30  minutes  200  meters  in  front  of  the  first  and  second  objectives.  A  stand- 
ing barrage  will  be  put  down  200  meters  in  front  of  the  Corps  objective  for 
20  minutes  and  will  then  cease. 

No.  5  shell  (Lethal  Gas)  will  be  used  freely  on  favorable  targets  and 
under  favorable  weather  conditions.  Fire  with  tliese  gas  shells  will  cease 
the  following  periods  of  time  before  the  area  is  to  be  occupied  by  our  troops: 

Wooded  areas  and  deep  ravines 3  hours 

Open  areas I  hour 

The  artillery  will  move  forward  by  echelons  to  protect  the  attack  as  it 
progresses. 

Two  ])ieces  of  75's  will  be  placed  under  the  command  of  each  leading 
Infantry  Battalion  Commander  for  use  as  forward  guns, 
^(c)  Machine  Guns: 

Machine  gun  companies  attached  to  first  and  second  line  infantry 
battalions  will  acconiixiny  their  battalion  by  Ijounds,  keeping  in  cio.se 
liaison  with  the  infantry  Itattalion  commanders. 

Machine  gun  coni])anies  of  the  third  line  battalions,  including  Division 
Reserve  Battalions,  will  be  placed  under  orders  of  the  brigade  commanders 
and  used  to  fill  the  gaps  and  protect  the  flanks  of  the  brigades. 


FIELD   ORDERS  431 

(d)  Dtviiiion  Rcfscri'cs: 

The  battalion  of  the  Killi  Infantry  in  Division  Reserve  will  advance 
at  H  jjliis  1  hour  30  minutes  to  the  Charpcntry-Eclisefontaiiie  road,  when^ 
it  will  halt  and  await  orders.  Liaison  office)'  will  report  to  (1-3  by  H  minus 
1  hour. 

The  l)attalion  of  the  26th  Infantry  in  Division  Reserve  will  conform 
to  the  movement  of  the  26th  Infantry  and  follow  in  normal  formation  in 
regimental  zone.    Liaison  officer  will  report  to  G-3  by  H  minus  1  hour. 

1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion  will  remain  in  place  ready  to  move  at  a 
moment's  notice.    Liaison  officer  will  report  to  0-3  l)y  H  minus  1  hour. 

(e)  Tanks: 

Two  companies  of  tanks  (6  ]ilatoons — 30  taiiks)  are  at  the  disposal  of 
this  Division.  They  will  be  deployed  across  the  Division  front  with  one 
platoon  generally  in  front  of  one  regiment  of  infantry  and  two  supporting 
platoons  generally  deployed  at  the  right  and  left  of  their  respective  brigade 
axis.  In  addition,  one  company — two  platoons,  or  three  if  the  tanks  are 
available — will  accompany  the  third  echelons  of  infantry  to  assist  in  mop- 
ping up. 

The  particular  mission  of  the  tanks  is  to  attack  strong  points  and 
machine  gun  nests,  and  to  assist  the  advance  of  the  infantry.  The  tanks 
in  reserve  will  assist  the  infantry  in  mopping  up. 

When  the  tanks  attached  to  the  16th  Infantry  on  the  left  reach  the 
northern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Montrebeau,  they  will  move  by  the  right  flank 
into  the  zone  of  the  18th  Infantry  and  will  assist  the  18th  Infantry  from 
that  time  on. 

(/)  Air  Service: 

Observation  Squadron  No.  1  is  attached  to  this  Division  and  will  have 
one  infantry  command  plane  in  the  air  at  all  times,  which  will  call  for  the 
staking  out  of  the  line  on  various  objectives,  and  two  artillery  planes  in  the 
air  at  all  times  to  designate  target  for  artillery. 

Balloon  Co.  No.  2  i.s  attached  to  this  Division  and  will  maintain  liaison 
with  the  artillery  and  with  G-3  at  all  times. 

(g)  Gas  Troops: 

Company  C,  1st  Gas  Regiment,  will  assist  the  advance  of  the  infantry 
by  placing  a  smoke  screen  along  the  southern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Montre- 
beau from  H  minus  5  mins.  to  H  plus  30  mins. 

(h)  Cavalry: 

Provisional  Squadron,  2d  Cav.,  attached  to  this  Division  will  remain 
in  place  ready  to  move  on  thirty  minutes  notice.  Liaison  officer  will  report 
to  G-3  by  H  minus  1  hour. 

(t)  Engineers: 

1st  Engineers  will  be  in  Division  Reserve  1  km.  southeast  of  V^ry 
ready  to  move  at  H  minus  1  hour.  Liaison  officer  will  report  to  G-3  from 
H  minus  1  hour. 


432  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

4.  Liaison  (see  appendix  No.  1) : 

Axis  of  Liaison — Cheppy-Charpentry-Ciiaudron  Fme.-Exermont-Som- 
merance-Alliepont . 

5.  Supplies,  Cominunicaliun  and  Evactiatiun  (see  appendix  No.  2): 
Orders  will  be  issued  from  G-1. 

6.  Post  of  Command: 

1st  Division — Cheppy. 

Divisional  Artillery — Cheppy. 

1st  Brigade — Charpentrv. 

2d  Brigade — Very. 

1st  Corps — Southern  edge  of  woods  on  Les  Cotes  de  Farimont. 

28th  Division — La  Forges. 

91st  Division — fipinonville. 

7.  General  Instructions: 

The  infantry  is  again  cautioned  to  stake  out  the  front  line  when  called 
for  l)y  airplane.  Commanding  officers  will  impress  upon  their  troops  that 
this  staking  out  is  vital  for  their  own  safety. 

Attention  is  called  to  the  employment  by  the  enemy  of  77's  in  his 
advance  line. 

The  infantry  will  be  deployed  in  dejith  and  this  depth  will  be  employed, 
not  to  thicken  the  advance  hne,  but  to  pass  through  advance  line  or  to 
maneuver  to  the  flank. 

Infantry  brigade,  regimental  and  battalion  commanders  will  particu- 
larly guard  against  mixing  of  units  by  constant  reinforcement  of  the  front 
lines. 

When  serious  resistance  is  encountered  by  the  leading  battalions, 
flanking  methods  will  be  employed  and  full  use  made  of  the  forward  75-min. 
guns,  37-nun.,  Stokes  mortars  and  machine  guns. 

Artillery  information  officers  will  accompany  advance  battalion  com- 
manders to  insure  close  liaison  between  the  infantry  lines  and  the  sup- 
porting artillery. 

By  conunand  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
J.  N.  Greely, 

Chief  of  Staff'. 


G-3        SECRET  Headquarters  First  Division, 

1033  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  Sept.  30,  1918. 

Memorandum.  PLAN  OF  LIAISON 

Subject:  Addenda  to  Annex  I,  F.  O.  47. 

1.  Annex  I,  F.O.  47,  Memorandum  G-3,  999,  will  hold  with  the  follow- 
ing changes  and  additions; 


FIELD   ORDERS  433 

2.  Paragraph  3,  Axis  of  Liaison: 

From  Cheppy  to  Charpentry — 3  circuits  along  the  Buanthe  River. 
From  Chejipy  to  ^'ery — 2  circuits  along  the  branch  of  the  Buanthe 

River. 
From  Very  to  Charpentry — 2  circuits. 
From  Charpentry  forward — 5   circuits  laid  along  Min   de   Baulny- 

Cemctery-Chaudron    Farm-Exermont.      Two    of    these    will    be 

command — one    observation    line — one    artillery — one    service. 

APPENDIX  "A"  omitted. 

3.  P.  C's: 

(a)  Location: 

First  Division  Headquarters  at  Cheppy. 
First  Infantry  Brigade — Charpentry. 
Second  Infantry  Brigade — Very. 
First  Artillery  Brigade — Cheppy. 

4.  Panels.  See  appendix  "C,"  "Plan  of  Liaison." 

(a)  Infantry.    See  page  69,  "Liaison  for  all  arms." 

The  1st  Division  is  the  First  Division  of  the  Corps. 

The  First  Infantry  Brigade  is  the  Second  Brigade  of  the 

Division.     The   Second   Infantry  Brigade   in   the    1st 

Brigade  of  the  Division. 

5.  Codes  and  Ciphers: 

(a)  T.  S.  F.  and  T.  P.  S.  Operations: 
Map  co-ordinates  Key  326. 

(b)  Aeroplane: 

Map  co-ordinates  Key  326. 

6.  Dumps: 

Signal  Corps  dump  at  Charpentry. 

7.  Tank  Signals: 

(a)  One  yellow  and  one  blue  flag  at  same  time — I  am  ditched,  dig 
me  out. 

(b)  One  yellow  flag — Broken  down  engine  trouble.  If  either  of 
above  are  seen  by  infantry,  send  runner  and  report  to  sup- 
porting tanks. 

(c)  One  red  pennant — Platoon  commander's  tank. 

(d)  One  red  and  white  diagonal  pennant — Company  commander's 
tank. 

(e)  One  red  and  one  yellow  pennant — Tank  signals  to  each  other. 
There  is  no  radio  established  on  these  tanks. 


\M 


HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST  DIVISION 


8.  Air  Service: 

( 'nil  iMcrs 

Wave  length 

Balloon  2 

WQ:i 

350  meters 

Infantry  Acropkuio 

210  meters 

Artillery  Aeroplanes 

120-150 

9.  Adjacent  Systems: 

Call  Letters 

Wave  leiigth 

P.  C.  28th  Division  (on  left) 

RA 

270  meters 

55th  Inf.  Brigade 

M24 

109th  Inf.  Regiment 

M7 

By  command  of  Ma, 

jor  General  Summerall: 
J.  N.  Greely, 

Chief  of  Staff, 

G-3 
1053 


SECRET 


Appendix  to  Par.  3  (1)  F.O.  No.  47. 


Headquarters  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France,  October  3,  1918. 


PLAN  FOR  ENGINEERS  (OPERATIONS  AND  SUPPLIES) 

Troops 
The  1st  Engineer  Regiment  and  Engineer  Train  and  such  part  of  the 
three  companies  of  the  53d  Pioneer  Infantry  as  may  be  assigned,  will  be 
available  for  engineer  work. 

Preparatory  Work 
(a)  Repair  and  maintenance  of  roads  in  the  divisional  sector. 
(/))   Construction  of  second  bridge  at  V^ry  and  repair  of  bridge  at 

Cheppy. 
(c)   General  construction,  such  as  prison  cages,  ammunition  dumps, 

improvement  of  water  points,  etc. 
{(l)   Engineer  reconnaissance  of  roads  leading  forward,  dumps  of  cap- 
tured engineer  material,  etc. 
(e)    Establishment  of  dumps  of  engineer  stores. 

Use  of  Engineers  During  Attack 
The  most  important  work  to  be  done  by  the  engineers  during  the  attack 
is  the  construction  and  maintenance  of  roads  and  bridges  leading  to  the 
front.  For  this  purpose  the  1st  Battalion,  1st  Engineers,  will  be  assigned 
to  the  most  advanced  road  and  bridge  work  and  make  early  engineer 
reconnaissance  in  rear  of  the  advance  to  obtain  the  necessary  engineer  infor- 
mation for  this  work;  they  will  prepare  the  roads  so  far  as  to  take  at  least 
divisional  artillery;  they  will  furnish  an  engineer  officer  with  the  necessary 
runners,  to  report  to  the  Commanding  Officer,  1st  Artillery  Brigade,  for 
the  purpose  of  making  the  necessary  engineer  reconnaissance  to  obtain 
information  as  to  engineer  work  required  for  moving  the  artillery  forward. 


\ 


FIELD  ORDERS  435 

They  will  furnish  necessary  detail  to  investigate  and  disarm  any  enemy 
mines  and  traps. 

The  2d  Battalion,  1st  Engineers,  reinforced  by  such  of  the  53d  Pioneer 
Infantry  as  may  be  assigned,  will  maintain  roads  and  bridges  from  Cheppy 
forward,  preparing  them  so  as  to  take  at  least  divisional  wagon  transport, 
and,  as  the  advance  progresses,  «ill  take  over,  from  the  1st  Battalion,  the 
maintenance  and  improvement  of  the  roads  forward. 

Duties  of  Engineers  After  the  Attack 

After  the  objectives  have  been  taken,  such  portion  of  the  engineer 
troops  as  can  be  spared  from  urgent  roadwork  will  lie  utilized  in  consolidat- 
ing the  captured  positions.  This  work  will  be  performed  by  the  infantry 
garrison  in  these  positions  under  the  direction  of  the  engineers  and  with 
the  tools  and  material  furnished  from  advance  engineer  dumps. 

Roads 

The  following  two  roads  will  he  repaired  and  made  passable: 

(1)  National  Route  No.  46  from  Varennes  through  Fleville. 

(2)  The     road     C'heppy-Veiy-Char])entry-Chaudron  Fme.-Exer- 
mont-F14ville  (road  fork  at  Co-ord.  F  0629)-Sommerance. 

Bridges 

Bridge  material  will  be  prepared  for  artillery  bridges  over  the  Rau 
d'Exermont  on  both  of  the  above  roads  and  material  will  be  prepared  for 
bridging  the  tank  traps  in  the  National  Route  between  Rau  d'Exermont  and 
Fleville.  Foot  bridges  for  the  infantry  will  not  be  required  unless  the  cross- 
ing of  the  Aire  River  is  contemplatetl,  in  which  case  the  engineers  will  pro- 
vide the  means  of  crossing. 

Engineer  S\iTp'plies 

An  advance  dump  of  engineer  tools  and  supplies  will  be  established  in 
the  vicinity  of  Charpentry  as  soon  as  practicable  after  H  hour.  There  is 
at  present  a  considerable  Corps  dump  of  engineer  materials  at  Varennes 
and  a  small  captured  German  dump  at  Cheppy. 

Water  Supply 

Local  water  supply  is  fairly  satisfactory  both  as  to  quantity  and  quahty 
and  will  be  used  suliject  to  test  by  medical  officer.  As  a  precautionary 
measure  all  drinking  water  should  be  chlorined  or  Ijoiled.  An  engineer 
officer  will  be  designated  as  Watei-  Supply  Officer,  whose  duty  will  be  to 
locate  water  points,  arrange  for  their  improvement  and  place  signs  on 
nearby  roads  indicating  their  location,  and  at  the  water  points  to  show  the 
determined  ([uality  of  the  water  and  any  resti'ictions  or  rules  as  to  its  use. 
Water  carts  must  be  kept  from  blocking  at  the  water  points.  Water  supply 
troops  of  the  1st  Army  will  follow  up  the  Divisions  and  Corps  in  improving 
and  extending  the  natural  water  su|i]ily  and  installing  special  mol;ile 
purification  plants  for  filtration,  purification  and  sterilization.  Signs 
will  be  posted  showing  their  locations,  which  will  generally  be  at  streams. 


436  HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

Organization  water  carts  must  be  accompanied  by  necessary  personnel  for 
operating  hand  pumps,  as  this  will  be  necessary  in  many  cases. 

All  horse  watering  parties  should  be  in  charge  of  an  officer  or  non-com- 
missioned officer  who  will  be  responsible  for  orderly  and  expeditious  water- 
ing; such  parties  must  also  have  necessary  personnel  for  operating  hand 
pumps. 

Water  points  are  under  the  control  of  the  Army  Water  Supply  Service. 
Representatives  of  this  service,  including  water  guards,  will  wear  on  their 
left  arm  the  letters  "  W.S. "  on  white  cloth  to  be  supplied  by  Water  Supply 
Service. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
J.  N.  Greely, 

Chief  of  Staff. 
Same  distribution  as  on  F.O.  No.  47. 


G-3         SECRF;T  and  personal      Headquarters  First  Division, 
1067  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  October  4,  1918. 
Field  Orders 

No.  48. 
Maps:   1/20,000  Special  Map 

1.  The  First  American  Army  continues  its  attack  to  the  combined 
Army  1st  ol)jective. 

2.  Mission,  Zones  of  Action  and  Objectives: 

(a)  The  mission  of  this  Division  is  to  continue  the  attack  to  the  com- 
bined Army  1st  objective  within  the  di\asional  limits. 

(6)  Zones  of  Action — continuation  of  zones  as  laid  down  in  Field  Order 
No.  47. 

(c)  For  objectives,  see  attached  sketch. 

3.  Troops: 
(a)  Infantry: 

To  1st  Objective — The  2d  Brigade  and  the  18th  Infantry  will  advance 
to  the  1st  objective,  employing  the  battalions  at  present  in  the  first  line. 
The  16th  Infantry  will  hold  its  present  fine. 

To  2d  Objective — The  2d  Brigade  and  tlie  18th  Infantry  will  advance  to 
the  2d  objective.  The  16th  Infantry  will  hold  its  present  line.  The  third 
line  battalions  of  the  2d  Brigade  will  pass  through  the  front  line  battalions 
and  take  the  2d  objective. 

To  3d  Objective — The  infantry  will  advance  to  the  3d  objective  (the 
present  Corps  objective),  which  the  infantry  will  organize  and  await  further 
orders. 

The  infantry  will  halt  for  two  hours  on  the  1st  and  2d  objectives  in 
order  to  re-form  and  inform  the  higher  command  of  the  progress  made. 


FIELD   ORDERS  437 

During  the  advance  from  the  1st  to  the  2d  objective  the  Commanding 
Officer,  26th  Infantry,  will  detail  two  companies  to  attack,  hold  and 
organize  the  western  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Money  to  protect  the  right  flank  of 
the  Division. 

The  battalion  26th  Infantry  in  Division  Reserve  is  turned  over  to  the 
Commanding  Officer,  26th  Infantry,  for  this  operation. 

(b)  Artillery: 
To  1st  Objective: 

Prelim  inary  Preparation: 

The  artillery  will  put  down  heavy  concentrations  in  the  zone  between 
the  present  front  line  and  the  1st  objective  at  H  minus  15  minutes. 

Barrage: 

A  rolhng  barrage  in  depth  will  be  placed  200  meters  in  front  of  the 
present  front  lines  at  H  hour  at  the  rate  of  100  meters  in  four  minutes. 
To  2d  Objective: 

Preliminary  Preparation: 

During  the  two-hour  halt  of  the  infantry  on  the  1st  objective  the  artil- 
lery will  put  down  heavy  concentrations  in  the  zone  between  the  1st  and 
2il  objectives,  and  in  the  western  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Money. 

Barrage: 

Same  as  for  the  advance  to  the  1st  objective. 
To  3d  Objective: 

Same  prescriptions  for  the  preliminary  preparation  fire  and  barrage 
as  for  advance  to  the  1st  objective. 

(c)  Reserves: 

The  battalion  16th  Infantry  in  Division  Reserve  will  remain  in  place. 

The  battahon  26th  Infantry  in  Division  Reserve  is  given  to  the  Com- 
manding Officer,  26th  Infantry,  under  the  conditions  laid  down  in  para- 
graph 3  (a). 

The  1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion  will  remain  in  place. 

(d)  Tanks: 

All  available  tanks  will  assist  the  advance  of  the  2d  Brigade.  They 
will  paj'  especial  attention  to  the  trenches  east  of  the  Bois  de  Boyou  and 
edge  of  the  woods  north  of  Hill  212. 

4.  No  change  from  Field  Order  47  for  units  not  specifically  mentioned 
above.    No  change  in  G-1  orders. 

5.  Further  orders  will  issue  for  the  advance  from  the  3d  ol^jective 
(Corps  objective). 

6.  H  hour  is  6.30  hours  October  5,  1918. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
J.  N.  Greely, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


4:}8 


HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 


Cojyy  No. 

c.(; 1 

C.S 2 

G-1 3-10 

G-3 11-15 

D.E.0 16 

Div.  Surg 17 

C.C;.  1st  Brig 18-19 

16th  Inf 20-24 

18th  Inf 25-29 

2d  Brig 30-31 

26th  Inf 32-36 

28th  Inf 37-41 

1st  F.A.  Brig 42-46 


Copy  No. 

ls(  I'jigrs 47-49 

CO.  Trains 50 

1st  M.G.  Bn 51 

G-3  1st  A.C 52 

28th  Div 53 

32d  Div 54 

1st  Anny 55 

French  Mission 56 

CO.  2dCav 57 

1st  Gas  Regt 58 

1st  Obs.  Sqdn 59 

2(1  Balloon 60 

326th  Bn.  Tanks.  .  .  61 


G-3 
1068 


SECRET  AND  PERSONAL 


Headquarters  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France,  October  4,  1918. 


Memorandum. 

Subject:  Anne.x  to  F.O.  48. 

Special  Instructions  for  Commanding  General,  2d  Inf.  Brig. 

1.  The  purpose  of  the  first  phase  of  the  operations  ordered  in  F.O.  48 
is  to  bring  the  2d  Brigade  up  on  a  line  with  the  1st  Brigade.  When  this 
purpose  is  attained  the  line  of  the  2d  Brigade  will  be  approximately:  crest 
of  Hill  240 — northern  edge  of  woods  just  north  of  Hill  212. 

2.  To  attain  this  objective  the  Commanding  General,  2d  Infantry 
Brigade,  will  utilize  the  two  front  line  battalions  in  each  regimental  zone. 
These  battalions  will  be  reorganized  and  re-formed  during  the  night  of 
October  4th  r)th,  and  will  be  used  as  assaulting  and  support  battalions, 
respectively,  for  the  advance  to  the  1st  objective. 

3.  Until  the  arrival  of  the  first  line  battalions  at  the  1st  objective,  3d 
line  battalions  will  remain  in  Bi-igade  and  Division  Reserve  as  heretofore. 
On  arrival  of  the  first  line  battalions  at  the  1st  objective,  the  Commanding 
General,  2d  Infantry  Brigade,  will  utihze  the  reserve  battalion  to  pass 
through  the  line  held  by  the  fii'st  line  battalions  in  each  regimental  zone. 
These  reserve  battalions  will  become  the  first  line  battalions  and  will  take 
all  succeeding  objectives.  The  former  first  line  battahons  will  follow  in 
normal  formation  as  second  line  battalions  or  support  battahons  under  the 
orders  of  the  regimental  conuuanders.  The  former  second  line  battalions 
will  halt  in  place  and  become  third  line  battalions  as  Brigade  and  Division 
Reserves.  Interior  battalion  in  Brigade  Reserve:  exterior  Battalion  in 
Division  Reserve.    Liaison  officer  from  the  battalion  in  Division  Reserve 


FIELD   ORDERS  439 

will  report  to  Division  P.C.  immediately  on  passage  by  the  new  first  line 
battalion. 

By  command  of  Major  General  SummeraH: 
J.  N.  Greely, 


Chief  of  Staff. 


Distribution: 
Same  as  F.O.  48. 


G-3       SECRET  AND  PERSONAL        Headquarters  First  Division, 
1081  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  October  8,  1918. 
Field  Orders, 

No.  49. 
Maps:  1/20,000 — Special  Map  issued  to  most  interested  parties  only. 

1.  Intention  of  the  High  Commatid: 

(a)  The  1st  American  Army  will  continue  the  attack. 

(b)  The  5th  Army  Corps  attacks  the  heights  east  and  west  of  Romagne 
on  D  day  at  H  hour. 

2.  Mission  of  the  Division,  Zones  of  Action  and  Objectives: 

(a)  This  Division,  with  the  181st  Infantry  Brigade  attached,  as  the 
left  Division  of  the  5th  Army  Corps,  while  strongly  covering  its  front 
north  of  Hill  240,  will  attack  in  the  direction  of  Hill  263  in  Le  Petit  Bois 
and  will  assist  the  32d  Division  hv  cleaning  up  Le  Petit  Bois  and  Bois  de 
la  Romagne,  north  of  Hill  263. 

(6)  The  1st  Infantry  Brigade  will  attack  on  the  left;  the  2d  Infantry 
Brigade,  with  the  1st  Bn.  1st  Engineers  and  1  Company  1st  M.G.  Bn. 
attached,  will  attack  on  the  right;  361st  Infantry  will  hold  on  the  right. 
Further  orders  will  issue  as  to  the  employment  of  the  361st  Infantry. 

Regiments  from  left  to  right  will  he:  16th  Infantry,  less  1st  Bn.,  18th 
Infantry  with  1st  Bn.  16th  Inf.  attached,  28th  Infantry,  26th  Infantry, 
1st  Bn.  1st  Engineers,  361st  Infantry. 

For  interior  limits  between  brigades  and  regiments,  see  attached  map. 

(c)  For  objectives,  see  attached  map. 

3.  Use  of  Troops: 
(a)  Infantry: 

The  attack  will  be  tlivided  into  three  operations: 

1st  Operation: 

The  1st  Bn.  16th  Infantry  will  make  the  principal  attack  as  far  as 
the  first  objective,  and  has  for  its  mission  the  taking  of  Hill  272  (1  km. 
northwest  of  Fme.  d'Arietal).  The  battalion  will  pass  through  the  front 
line  battalion  of  the  28th  Infantry  within  its  zone  of  action. 

The  other  elements  of  the  1st  Brigade  will  slightly  advance  their  lines, 
maintaining  close  liaison  with  all  elements. 


IK)  HISTORY   OF   THE    FIRST   DIVISION 

The  2d  Brigade  will  attack  with  its  least  fatigued  battalions,  the  bat- 
talions at  present  in  Brigade  and  Division  Reserve  being  available  for  this 
purpose.  The  2d  Brigade  will  maintain  close  liaison  with  the  1st  Brigade 
on  the  loft  and  the  1st  Bn.  1st  Engineers  on  the  right. 

The  1st  Bn.  1st  Engineers  will  1)0  the  pivot  of  the  attack  and  clean 
up  the  Bois  de  Money  within  its  zone  tif  action. 

The  leading  elements  of  the  assaulting  battalions  of  the  1st  Biigadc 
will  cross  the  present  front  lines  at  H  liour  and  advance  at  the  rate  of  100 
meters  in  three  minutes  in  the  valley  between  Hill  240  anfl  Hill  272.  At 
H  plus  15  minutes  the  advance  will  slow  down  to  100  meters  in  si.x  minutes. 

The  leading  elements  of  the  assaulting  battalions  of  the  2d  Brigade 
and  the  left  element  of  the  1st  Bn.  1st  Engineers  will  cross  the  present 
front  lines  and  advance  at  the  rate  of  100  meters  in  six  minutes  (this  at 
H  plus  22  minutes). 

Upon  reaching  the  1st  objective  the  1st  Brigade  will  halt  and  maintain 
liaison  with  the  2d  Brigade  in  its  advance  to  the  2d  objective.  The  2d 
Brigade  and  the  1st  Bn.  1st  Engineers  will  halt  for  two  hours  antl  at  H 
plus  3  hours  will  continue  the  advance  to  the  2d  objective. 

The  advance  of  the  exploitation  lines  will  conunence  upon  orders  of 
the  Division  Commander. 

The  present  front  lino  battalion  of  the  2d  Brigade  will  be  re-formed  in 
their  regimental  zones,  the  28th  Infantry  in  the  vicinity  of  Fme.  St.  Ger- 
main, the  26th  Infantry  in  the  vicinity  of  Fme.  d'Arietal. 

At  H  hour,  Infantry  Brigade  Commanders  will  organize  a  line  of 
resistance  against  possible  enemy  counter-attacks  along  the  line: 

Ridge  west  of  Hill  240;   Hill  240;   northern  edge  of  woods  north 
of  Hill  212. 

This  line  will  be  oi-ganized  in  depth,  particular  attention  being  given 
to  the  proper  placing  of  the  machine  guns. 

Second  Ojieration: 

The  advance  of  the  1st  Bn.  16th  Infantry  to  the  2d  objective. 

The  1st  Bn.  16th  Infantry  will  begin  its  advance  to  the  2d  objective 
at  H  plus  290  minutes  (H  plus  4  hours  50  minutes)  following  rolhng  liarrage 
at  the  rate  of  100  meters  in  six  minutes.  When  the  2d  objective  is  reached 
the  position  will  be  immediately  organized  in  depth  for  defense.  Close 
liaison  will  be  maintained  with  the  18th  Infantry  on  the  left  and  the  28th 
Infantry  on  the  right. 

Third  Operation: 

Advance  of  the  1st  Brigade,  less  the  1st  Bn.  16tli  Infantry,  to  2d 
objective. 

The  1st  Brigade,  less  the  1st  Bn.  16th  Infantry,  will  begin  its  advance 
to  the  second  objective  H  plus  380  minutes  (H  plus  6  hours  20  minutes) 
following  a  rolling  barrage  at  the  rate  of  100  meters  in  six  minutes.  Upon 
reaching  the  2d  objective,  the  1st   Brigade  will  organize  the  position  in 


FIELD   ORDERS  441 

depth  for  defense,  maintaining  close  liaison  with  the  units  on  its  right  and 
left. 

(b)  Artillery: 

On  D-1,  the  divisional  artillery  will  jiut  down  heavy  concentrations  on 
the  enemy  positions  and  works. 

At  H  minus  3  minutes  the  artillery  will  put  down  a  standing  barrage 
200  motors  in  front  of  present  front  lines.  The  barrage  in  front  of  the  1st 
Brigatle  will  lift  at  H  hour  and  advance  at  the  rate  of  100  meters  in  3  minutes 
until  H  plus  15  minutes,  when  it  will  slow  down  to  100  meters  in  six  minutes. 
The  barrage  in  front  of  the  2d  Brigade  and  1st  I3n.  1st  Engineers  will  lift 
at  H  plus  22  minutes  and  advance  at  the  rate  of  100  meters  in  si.x  minutes. 

When  the  2d  Brigade  reaches  the  1st  objective,  the  artillery  will  fire 
heavy  concentrations  in  the  zone  of  the  2d  Bi-igade  between  the  1st  objective 
and  the  2d  ol:>jective  for  two  hours.  At  H  ]:)lus  three  hours  a  rolling  barrage 
will  be  placed  200  meters  in  front  of  the  1st  olijective,  2d  Brigade  zone, 
which  will  advance  at  the  rate  of  100  motors  in  six  minutes. 

The  barrage  in  front  of  the  2d  Brigade  will  begin  to  slow  down  when 
the  infantry  reaches  its  2d  objective  and  will  cease  thirty  minutes  after  the 
infantry  has  reached  the  2d  objective. 

From  H  plus  260  minutes  to  H  plus  290  minutes  the  artillery  will  fire 
concentrations  between  the  1st  and  2d  objectives  in  the  zone  of  the  1st 
Bn.  16th  Infantry. 

At  H  plus  290  minutes  the  artillery  will  place  a  barrage  200  meters  in 
front  of  the  1st  ol)jective  of  the  1st  Bn.  16th  Infantry,  which  will  advance 
at  the  rate  of  100  meters  in  six  minutes.  This  barrage  will  begin  to  slow 
down  when  the  infantry  reaches  the  2d  objective  and  will  cease  thirty 
minutes  after  the  infantry  has  reached  its  2d  objective. 

From  H  plus  350  minutes  to  H  plus  380  minutes  the  artillery  will  fire 
concentrations  between  the  1st  and  2d  objectives  in  the  zone  of  the  1st 
Brigade,  less  the  1st  Bn.  16th  Infantry. 

At  H  plus  380  minutes  the  artillery  will  place  a  laarrage  200  meters  in 
front  of  this  zone  which  will  advance  at  the  rate  of  100  meters  in  six  minutes. 
This  Ijarrage  will  begin  to  slow  down  when  the  infantry  reaches  the  2d 
objective  and  will  cease  thirty  minutes  after  the  infantry  has  reached  the 
2d  objective. 

(c)  Machine  Guns: 
See  Appendix  I. 

(rf)  Division  Reserve: 

The  362d  Infantry  in  Division  Reserve  will  be  alerted  in  place  Bouleaux 
Bois  at  H  hour. 

The  2d  Bn.  1st  Engineers,  in  Division  Reserve,  will  be  alerted  in 
place  in  the  vicinity  of  Serieux  Fme.  at  H  hour. 


442  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

The  1st  M.G.  Bn..,  less  1  Company,  will  return  to  its  present  station 
upon  completion  of  the  mission  assigned  it  in  Appendix  I. 

The  Bn.  26th  Infantry,  in  Division  Reserve,  will  be  alerted  in  place 
at  H  hour. 

(e)  Air  Service: 

Same  prescriptions  as  F.O.  No.  47. 

(/)  Gas  Troops: 

Company  C,  1st  Gas  Regiment,  will  take  up  position  on  Hill  240  on 
the  night  of  D  minus  one  hour  and  fire  coiifentrations  of  thermite  on  the 
woods  south  and  east  of  Hill  176  and  the  trenches  east  of  Hill  176  from 
H  minus  15  minutes  to  H  hour. 

(g)  Cavalry: 

The  Commanding  Officer,  Provisional  Squadron,  2d  Cavalry,  vvill  send 
suitable  mounted  patrols,  each  commanded  by  an  officer,  to  rejjort  to  the 
Commanding  General,  Ist  and  2d  Infantry  Brigades,  for  haison  work  to  the 
front  and  rear  and  laterally. 

(h)  Liaison: 

Same  as  for  F.  O.  No.  47. 

The  D.  S.  O.  will  arrange  to  have  projector  stations  on  Hill  240  and 
Hill  269  connecting  with  a  relay  of  stations  to  the  Division  P.C.  These 
stations  will  be  u.sed  by  brigade,  regimental  and  battalion  commanders 
for  sending  short  messages  to  the  rear. 

5.  Supply,  C ommunication  and  Evacuation: 
Same  as  for  F.  O.  No.  47. 

6.  Posts  of  Coininand: 
1st  Division:  Cheppy. 
Divisional  Artillery:  Cheppy. 

1st  Brigade:   Dug-out  500  meters  north  of  Baulny. 

2d  Brigade:   Neuville  le  Comte  Fme. 

181st  Brigade:   ficlisefontaine. 

5th  Army  Corps:  Verrieres-en-Hesse  Fme. 

7.  Staking  Out: 

The  Infantry  Command  plane  will  call  for  a  staking  out  while  the 
infantry  is  resting  upon  its  1st  objective,  and  front  fine  troops  must  be 
warned  to  display  their  panels. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
J.  N.  Greely, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


FIELD   ORDERS 


443 


Distribution: 

C.G.  1 1 

C.S.I 2 

G-1.2 3-  4 

G-2.1 5 

G-3.5 6-10 

C.G.  1st  Brig 2  11-12 

CO.  16th  Inf 5  13-16 

CO.  18th  Inf 5  17-22 

CO.  2d  Inf.  Brig 2  23-24 

26th  Inf.  CO 5  25-29 

28th  Inf.  CO 5  30-34 


C.G.F.A.  Brig 5  35-39 

CO.  IstM.G 1  40 

CO.  1st  Engrs 1  43 

CO.  1st  Bn.  1st  Engrs   .    1  41-42 

C.G.  181st  Inf.  Brig 1  44 

CO.  361st  Inf 5  45-49 

CO.  362d  Inf 5  50-54 

C.G.  5th  Army  Corps.    .1  55 

C.G.  32dDiv 1  56 

C.G.  82dDiv 1  57 


Headquarters  First  Division, 
American  E.xpeditionary  Forces, 
France,  October  8,  1918. 
Memorandum : 
Subject:  D  day  and  H  hour. 

1.  In  re  F.O.  No  49,  D  day  is  October  9th;   H  hour  is  8:30  hours. 
By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
J.  N.  Greely, 

Chief  of  Staff. 
Distribution: 

Same  as  F.O.  49. 


G-3 
1094 


SECRET  AND  PERSONAL 


Headquarters  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France,  October  9,  1918. 

Field  Orders 
No.  50. 

Maps:    1/20,000  Tracing. 

1.  Intention  of  High  Command: 

The  5th  Army  will  continue  the  attack. 

2.  Mission  of  the  Division,  Zones  of  Action  and  Objectives: 

(a)  The  Division  will  exploit  its  succes.ses  to  the  line  Sommerance- 
Tuillerie  Fme. 

(b)  For  zones  of  action  and  objectives,  see  attached  sketch. 

3.  Use  of  Troops: 
(a)  Infantry: 

Each  regiment  will  push  out  patrols  from  front  line  company  at  7 :  00 
hours  in  its  zone  of  action.  If  no  resistance  is  encountered,  the  infantry  will 
unmcdiately  advance  and  occupy  the  best  possible  defensive  position. 


444  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   niVISION 

Patrols  will  advance  to  each  successive  lino  of  exploitation  and  if  the 
terrain  is  found  to  be  unoccupied  the  infantry  will  advance  anil  occupy  the 
line. 

Close  liaison  will  be  established  and  maintained  between  all  units. 

If  resistance  is  encountered,  artillery  assistance  will  be  ilenianded, 
and  after  artillery  preparations  patrols  will  again  go  forward  to  keep  contact 
with  the  enemy. 

Garrison  of  surety  will  be  left  on  Hill  269  and  Hill  263. 

(b)  Artillery: 

The  124th  F.A.  will  support  the  181st  Inf.  Brigade. 
The  7th  F.A.  will  supjjort  the  2d  Inf.  Brigade. 
The  6th  F.A.  will  support  the  1st  Inf.  Brigade. 
The  219th  French  Artillery  and  the  5th  F.A.  will  he  used  to 
supi^ort  all  the  above  regiments  of  infantry. 

(c)  No  change  for  other  units  from  Field  Order  No.  49. 

4.  No  change  in  haison  plans. 

5.  No  change  in  administrative  details. 

6.  Brigade  coimnanders  will  submit  to  these  Headquarters  by  15:00 
hours  the  location  of  all  units  in  their  commands  as  of  12  noon. 

7.  Brigade  commanders  will  submit  to  these  Headquarters  l)y  10:00 
hours  strength  of  all  units  in  their  command. 

8.  A  more  complete  report  of  strength  will  be  renderetl  with  the  report 
required  Ijy  Paragraph  6. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
J.  N.  Greelv, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


G-3      SECRET  AND  PERSONAL        Headquarters  First  Division, 
1097  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  October  10,  1918. 
22:30  hrs. 
Field  Orders 

No.  52. 
Maps:    1/20,000  tracing 

1.  Intention  of  the  High  Command: 

The  5th  Corps  willcontimietheattackat  7:00 hours,  October  11,  1918. 

2.  Mission,  Zones  of  Action  and  Objectives: 

(a)  This  Division  will  continue  the  attack  in  its  zones,  pushing  for- 
ward with  the  utmost  vigor  and  without  waiting  for  adjacent  divisions. 
(6)  For  zones  of  action  and  objectives,  see  attached  tracing. 


FIELD   ORDERS  445 

3.  Use.  of  Troops: 

(a)  Infantry: 

At  7:00  hours  each  front  line  company  will  push  out  patrols  on  its 
front  to  first  line  of  exploitation  (see  attached  sketch). 

If  resistance  is  encountered  from  the  enemy  trench  system  south  of 
Landres  et  St.  Georges,  the  patrols  will  retire  and  the  artillery  will  place 
heavy  destruction  fire  upon  the  trench  system.  After  the  artillery  prep- 
arations are  completed  the  patrols  will  again  advance  and  if  resistance  is 
still  encountered  more  artillery  preparation  will  be  demanded.  If  necessary 
the  Division  Commander  will  order  a  rolling  barrage  to  be  put  down  and  an 
assault  by  the  infantry  to  take  the  trench  system. 

If  no  resistance  is  encountered  the  patrols,  followed  at  500  meters  by 
the  infantry  battalions,  will  advance  from  one  exploitation  line  to  next, 
maintaining  close  liaison  to  the  front  and  rear  and  laterally  The  advanc- 
ing infantry  battalions  will  take  up  positions  favorable  for  defense  at 
each  advance.     Echelonment  in  depth  will  he  maintained  l)y  all  elements. 

In  conformance  with  Field  Orders  69,  5th  Army  Corps,  the  181st 
Infantry  Brigade  is  attached  to  the  32d  Division  to  be  used  at  the  discre- 
tion of  the  Commanding  General,  32d  Division.  The  Commanding 
General,  181st  Infantry  Brigade,  will  report  at  once  to  the  Commanding 
General,  32d  Division,  for  orders. 

(b)  Artillery: 

The  7th  F.A.  will  support  the  2d  Brigade. 
The  6th  F.A.  will  support  the  1st  Brigade. 

The  5th  F.A.  and  the  219th  French  Artillery  will  support  both 
infantry  brigades. 
During  the  night  of  October  lOth-llth,  artillery  will  fire  harassing 
fire  on  sensitive  points  in  the  enemy  lines,  paying  particular  attention  to 
the  trench  system  south  of  Landres  et  St.  Georges.  From  4 :  00  hours  to 
6:30  hours,  October  11th,  the  artillery  will  fire  preparation  fire  on  this 
trench  system. 

(c)  Division  Reserves: 

The  2d  Bn.,  1st  Engineers,  is  put  at  the  disposal  of  the  Commanding 
General,  2d  Brigade.  The  1st  Bn.,  1st  Engineers,  will  pass  into  Division 
Reserve.    It  will  remain  in  place. 

(d)  No  change  for  units  not  mentioned  above. 

4.  No  change  in  axis  of  liaison. 

5.  No  change  in  administrative  details. 

6.  No  change  in  posts  of  command. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Summerall: 
J.  N.  Greely, 

Chief  of  Staff 


446  HISTUHY  OF  THE  FIRST  DIVISION 

C;-3       SECRET  AND  PERSONAL        Headquarters  First  Division, 
1 180  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

France,  November  5,  1918. 

Field  Orders 

No.  61. 
Map:   1/20,000  Reaucourt-Stenay. 

1.  The  enemy  is  still  retreatinp;  west  of  the  Meuso. 

The  2d  Division,  on  our  right,  will  hold  the  heights  east  of  the  Meuse, 
opposite  Beaumont. 

The  right  division  of  the  1st  Corps  is  on  our  left.  The  .")th  Army  Corps 
will  seize  and  hold  the  heights  east  of  the  Meuse,  extending  its  left  to  include 
Mouzon. 

2.  Our  Division  will  advance  through  the  80th  Division  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Yoncq-Mouzon  and  will  seize  a  cro.ssing  at  Mouzon. 

3.  (a)  The  2d  Infantry  Brigade  Sector: 

Eastern   Boundary:    Beaumont    (exclusive) — Bois   de    I'Hospice 

(inclusive) — Villeniontry. 
Western  Boundary:  Cross  roads  of  the  Yoncq-Mouzon  road  with 
the  La  Bagnolle-Beaumont  road — the  Yoncq-Mouzon  road — 
and  Mouzon  (exclusive). 
The  2d  Brigade  will  attack  on  a  front  of  two  l)attalions  with  one 
battalion  in  support  antl  one  regiment  in  reserve,  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
woods  west  of  La  Thibaudine  Fann. 

(6)  The  1st  Infantry  Brigade  Sector: 

Eastern  Boundary:  West  of  the  2d  Brigade.    Western  Boundary: 

La  Bagnolle — western  edge  of  Bois  d'Yoncq — Hill  297 — Hill 

between  Bois  (ierfaux  and  Bois  de  Pourron — Hill  275  (1  km. 

N.W.  of  Pourron — Le  Poncay  Fme. 

This  brigade  (less  interior  right  battalion,  3d  line)  will  attack  with 

regiments  side  by  side  in  the  usual  formation. 

(c)  The  Divisional  Reserve  will  consist  of  the  interior  right  battalion 
of  the  3d  line,  1st  Brigade,  and  the  1st  M.G.  Battalion,  and  will  be  held  in 
the  Bois  de  Gd.  Dieulet,  just  north  of  Le  Gros  Faux. 

(d)  The  1st  Engineers  will  remain  in  its  present  location,  vicinity  of 
Sommauthe. 

(e)  The  Artillery  will  be  in  position  at  H  hour  and  will  be  ready  to  give 
artillery  support  when  requested  by  infantry  brigade  cominanders. 

(w)  Combat  patrols  will  maintain  contact  with  neighboring  (uiits. 

(x)  Details  of  arrangement  for  accompanying  guns  will  be  made 
between  battalions  and  artillery  commanders  concerned. 

(?y)  Axis  of  liaison — Ravine  de  Yoiicc]  to  Y()nc(i,  thence  the  Yoncq- 
Mouzon  road. 

(z)  D  day,  6th  November;   H  hour,  .5  hours  30  minutes. 


FIELD   ORDERS 


447 


4.  Field  Trains  will   rcninin   at   tlicir  prosciit  assombly  iwints  until 
further  orders. 

5.  Battle  P.C.  of  the  Division  will  n|)cii  at  eross  roads  L(^  ( Jnw  Faux 
at  5  hours,  November  6th. 

Brigade  P.C.'s  to  be  selected  ami  reported. 

By  command  of  Brigadier  General  Parker: 
J.  N.  Greely, 

Chief  of  Staff. 


SECRET  AND  PERSONAL 

Field  Orders 
No.  62. 


Headquarters  First  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
France,  November  6,  1918. 


Scale:  Mezieres— 1/80,000. 

1.  No  further  information  of  the  enemy.  "Vhe  First  Army  advances  on 
Sedan,  the  5th  Corps  on  the  right  and  the  1st  Corps  on  the  left. 

2.  Our  Division  will  constitute  the  advance  troops  and  seize  Sedan. 

3.  (a)  The  Division  will  advance  in  five  (5)  columns  numbered  from 
east  to  west. 

Column  1:   1  Battalion  of  the  16th  Infantry. 

Route — Autrecourt — through  the  valley  of  the  Meuse  via  Remilly- 
Wadelincourt. 

Column  2:   16th  Infantry  (less  1  battalion) ;   1  company  1st  Engineers. 

Route — Pourron-Autrecourt-Raucourt-Haracourt-Thelonne-Noyers. 

Column  3:   18th  Infantry  (less  1  battalion). 

Route — Pourron-  Aut recourt- Raucourt - Maisoncelle -Bulson -  Chau- 
mont,  thence  north. 

Column  4:   28th  Infantry — 1  company  Engineers. 

Route — Stonne-Chemery-Chehery-Frenois. 

Column  5:  26th  Infantry. 

Route — Stonne-Chemery-Omicourt-Hanngne-St.  Martin. 

(&)  Divisional  Reserve: 

1  battalion  18th  Infantry; 

1st  Machine  Gun  Battalion; 

1st  Engineers  (less  two  companies). 

Route:  La  Besace-Raucourt,  from  which  point  it  will  follow  Column 
No.  2  at  a  distance  of  about  one  kilometer. 

(c)  The  6th  Field  Artillery  will  follow  close  on  the  18th  Infantry. 
The  Fifth  Field  Artillery  will  follow  in  three  columns,  one  battalion  in 
each  column,  Nos.  2,  3,  and  4. 

(x)  Column  No.  1,  will  leave  small  details  to  guard  captured  bridges 
over  the  Meuse  along  its  route. 


448  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST    DIVISION 

4.  The  Field  Artillery  aiid  Sanitary  Trains  will  move  niuler  orders  to 
be  issued  by  G-I. 

5.  The  Division  P.C.  will  close  at  its  present  location  at  20:00  hours 
this  date  and  march  via  La  Besaee-Raucourt-Maisoneello-Bulson-Chau- 
mont. 

By  command  of  Brigadier  General  Parker: 
J.  N.  Greely, 

Chief  of  Staff. 
Distribution  "C" 


(JERMAN  DIVISIONS  IDENTIFIED  ON  THE  5th  CORPS  FRONT 

SINCE    SEPTEMBER    2t),     1918,    IN    CHRONOLOGICAL 

ORDER     OF     IDENTIFICATION,    WITH     DATES 

OF  WITHDRAWAL  AND  SECTOR  OCCUPIED 

1st  Gd.  Diinsio7i. — In  line  on  left  of  the  Corps  front  on  September  26tli, 
occupying  a  sector  extending  from  the  Bois  de  Chappy  inclusive  to  the 
west  beyond  the  Corps  front.  Prisoners  were  taken  of  but  two  regiments 
of  this  division:  1st  Ft.  Gd.  Rgt.  and  2d  Ft.  Gd.  Rgt.  This  division  was 
one  of  those  which  sustained  the  first  shock  of  our  offensive  and  was  with- 
drawn within  the  next  few  days. 

117th  Div. — In  line  opposite  Corps  front,  September  26th,  occupying 
a  sector  from  the  Bois  de  Chepjiy  exclusive,  to  Haucourt  exclusive;  sus- 
tained brunt  of  our  attack  and  was  withdrawn  within  the  next  few  days; 
remained  at  rest  in  cIo.se  support;  elements  of  one  Regiment  (157th  Rgt.) 
were  encountered  south  of  Remonville  November  2d,  during  the  progress 
of  our  attack  of  November  1st;  the  whole  division  was,  however,  identified 
iti  line  later  on  the  front  of  the  3d  Corps  on  our  right,  where  it  remained 
until  the  armistice  went  into  effect. 

7th  Res.  Div. — In  line  on  extreme  right  of  Corps  front,  September  26th, 
occupying  a  sector  from  Haucoiu-t  inclusive  to  the  east  beyond  the  Corps 
front.  Prisoners  of  the  66th  Res.  Rgt.  wei'e  taken  on  the  first  day  of  the 
operation  by  our  right  division;   no  further  contact  with  this  division. 

5th  Gd.  Div. — In  close  support  Septeml)or  26th.  Due  to  the  progress 
of  our  attack  found  itself  in  line  on  left  of  Corps,  September  27th,  around 
and  to  the  west  of  fipinonville.  Contact  with  two  regiments  of  this  divi- 
sion only,  the  3d  Ft.  Gd.  Rgt.  antl  the  20th  Rgt.  Relief  of  this  division 
by  the  52d  Divi.sion  was  begun  in  the  night  of  September  29th-30th 
(statement  of  prisoners). 

37th  Div. — Identified  in  line  Septemlier  27th  north  of  Montfaucon ; 
retreated  to  N.W.  and  occupied  sector  E  of  Fleville;  withdrawn  about 
October  12th-13th. 

45th  Res.  Div. — Elements  thrown  in  as  reinforcements  on  Corps  front 
for  short  periods  of  time  on  two  occasions;   212th  Res.  Rgt.  identified  at 


FIELD   ORDERS  449 

Eclisefontaine  September  28th,  reinforcing  5th  Gd.  Div. ;  withdrawn  within 
next  few  days;  211th  Res.  Rgt.  identified  on  Hill  269  October  8th,  rein- 
forcing 52d  Div. ;   withdrawn  at  once. 

6th  Bav.  Res.  Div. — Identified  on  right  of  Corps  front  Septemljer  29th 
by  prisoners  of  the  7th  Bav.  Res.  Rgt.  captured  north  of  Nantillois  and  by 
prisoners  of  the  12th  Bav.  Res.  Rgt.  captured  in  the  Bois  de  Septsarges  on 
the  same  day.    No  further  contact  with  this  division. 

52d  Div. — According  to  prisoners'  statements,  entered  line  September 
29th,  relieving  5th  Gd.  Div.  It  was  first  identified  by  this  Corps  at  Tronsol 
Farm,  October  3d.  Withdrawn  Ijetween  October  12th  and  14th;  returned 
into  line  October  28th,  relieving  41st  Div.  and  occupying  sector  from  Hill  253 
to  Landres-St.  Georges  inclusive  last;  identification  November  2d;  with- 
drawn before  November  8th  (captured  document). 

53d  Res.  Div. — Identified  in  line  September  29th  by  prisoners  of  the 
243d  Res.  Rgt.  captured  south  of  Gesnes.  No  further  identifications  from 
this  division,  which  was  later  identified  by  prisoners  as  in  line  to  the 
S.W.  opposite  the  front  of  the  1st  Corps. 

115th  Div. —  Identified  in  line  September  29th,  occupying  sector 
from  north  of  Gesnes  to  eastern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Cunel;  withdrawn 
between  October  10th  and  12th;  elements  thrown  in  line  three  days  later 
(October  15th)  in  region  N.W.  of  Romagne  but  withdrawn  again  at  once; 
lay  in  close  support  in  region  Inor-Pouilly-Moulins ;  re-entered  line  Novem- 
ber 1st,  in  region  of  Remonville,  in  very  weakened  condition;  last  identi- 
fied in  line  November  4th;  withdrawn  (captured  document)  before  Novem- 
ber 8th. 

236th  Div. — Identified  in  line  October  3d,  occupying  sector  from  the 
Bois  de  Cunel  inclusive  eastward  beyond  the  Corps  front;  withdrawn 
al)Out  October  16th;  returned  into  line  night  of  November  3d-4th,  in 
position  from  Vaux-en-Dieulet  to  east  of  Beaumont,  covering  the  withdrawal 
of  the  enemy's  main  forces  across  the  Meuse;  withdrawn  to  region  of 
Autreville  within  next  few  days;  prisoners  of  the  457th  Rgt.  captured  near 
Autreville,  morning  of  November  11th,  state  that  their  regiment  was 
covering  the  withdrawal  of  the  rest  of  the  division,  begun  the  night  before. 

23Sth  Div. — Identified  in  the  line  in  region  south  of  Cunel,  Octo- 
ber 9th,  by  prisoners  of  the  207th  Res.  Rgt.  and  the  48th  Rgt.;  last 
identified  by  prisoners  of  the  48th  Rgt.  captured  near  Cunel  on  October 
10th;  withdrawn  east  of  the  Meuse  about  October  12th.  The  3d  Rgt.  of 
this  division  never  came  west  of  the  Meuse. 

41st  Div. — Identified  in  line  October  9th,  holding  Cote  de  Maldah; 
retreated  to  region  of  Landres-St.  Georges;  relieved  by  52d  Div.  October 
28th-31st;  elements  thrown  back  into  line  almost  at  once,  identified 
by  prisoners  November  3d  N.  E.  of  Nouart;  last  identified  in  line 
November  5th. 


450  HISTORY   OF   THE   FIRST   DIVISION 

38th  /;«).— Identified  in  lino  on  Corps  front  Octolior  0th.  Ele- 
ments were  brought  over  ;is  reinforeonients  from  front  of  tiie  3d  Corps  on 
our  right,  where  the  28th  Div.  iiad  been  in  line  for  some  time.  Prisoners 
of  the  19th  Rgt.  were  captured  on  Hill  269,  October  9th,  and  of  the  UOth 
Rgt.  between  Romagne  and  Cunel  on  October  11th;  withdrawn  October 
12th  into  close  support  in  the  region  of  Stenay.  Identified  once  more  in 
line  opposite  Corps  on  our  right,  October  26th.  In  the  attack  of  November 
1st,  our  troops  came  in  contact  with  elements  of  the  Division;  prisoners  of 
the  109th  and  40th  Rgts.  being  captured  November  1st  and  2tl  north  and 
northeast  of  Bois  de  Bantheville.  These  were  the  last  identifications  from 
this  division  on  our  Corps  front. 

123d  Div.— Identified  in  line  October  11th  south  of  Cunel;  held 
sector  between  Romagne  and  Cunel;  last  identified  by  this  (^orps,  October 
21st. 

3d  Gd.  7J('r.— Identified  in  line  October  14tli,  region  N.  W.  of 
Romagne;   last  identified  in  line,  October  16th. 

13th  Div. — Identified  in  line  October  16th,  reinforcing  41st  Div. 
at  La  Musarde  Farm  and  Cote  de  Chatillon ;  later  held  slopes  immediately 
N.W.  of  Bois  de  Bantheville  and  the  region  of  the  Bois  de  Bantheville; 
withdrawn  night  of  October  29th-30th  into  close  support.  As  our  attack 
of  November  1st  developed,  elements  of  the  13th  Division  were  encountered 
northwest  of  Nouart;   last  identification,  November  3d. 

88th  Div. — Identified  in  line  November  1st,  having  reUeved  the 
13th  Division  in  the  sector  north  of  the  Bois  de  Bantheville,  in  the  night 
of  October  29th-30th.  Retreated  east  of  the  Meuse,  November  3d-4th, 
and  remained  in  line  until  the  armistice  went  into  effect,  holding  positions 
on  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  in  the  region  Pouilly-Autreville-Bois  d'Alma- 
Gisors;  last  identification,  morning  of  November  11th. 

15th  Bav.  Div. — Identified  in  line  on  extreme  left  of  Corps  front, 
November  1st.  Prisoners  of  all  three  regiments  captured  November  1st  and 
2d  west  of  St.  Georges.     No  further  contact. 

31st  Div. — As  our  advance  of  November  1st  progressed,  prisoners 
of  the  166th  and  174th  Rgts.  were  taken  in  the  vicinity  of  Imecourt.  Par- 
ticipated in  general  retreat  across  the  jVIeuse  and  took  up  positions  on  east 
bank  of  Meuse  from  Bois  de  Fla\'iers  inclusive,  northward  to  Mouzon, 
exclu-sive.  Last  identification,  morning  of  November  11th.  (Prisoners  of 
166th  and  174th  Rgts.) 

27th  Div. —  Identified  November  1st,  in  the  Bois  de  Barricourt. 
Retreated  across  Meuse  and  took  up  positions  in  and  around  Inor.  Re- 
mained in  line  until  armistice  went  into  effect.  Last  identification,  morn- 
ing of  November  11th. 

10th  Div. — Identified  November  5th  south  and  east  of  Beaumont 
holding  line  Y(mcq-Beaumont.  Withdrawn  (captured  document)  before 
November  8th. 


DATE    DUE 


f£Bi  6/717-7 


GAYLOHD 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARIES 

0045839220 


'JUI 


;f  .'.f  ;:|;!||i;;:;X 


